Five things to know about Venezuela

PARIS – Venezuela, the once-prosperous South American country now scarred by years of economic ruin and political repression, holds elections on July 28, with authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro seeking a third term.Here are five things to know about the country:- From Bolivarismo to Chavismo -The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is named after national icon Simon Bolivar, nicknamed “El Libertador” for his role in helping former Spanish colonies in South America achieve independence in the early 1900s. Bolivar inspired the leftist firebrand Hugo Chavez, a close ally of late Cuban…