<P> Buoyed by a strong oil sector in the 1960s and 1970s , Venezuela 's governments were able to maintain social harmony by spending fairly large amounts on public programs including health care , education , transport , and food subsidies . Literacy and welfare programs benefited tremendously from these conditions . Because of the oil wealth , Venezuelan workers `` enjoyed the highest wages in Latin America . '' This situation was reversed when oil prices collapsed during the 1980s . </P>
<P> Buoyed by a strong oil sector in the 1960s and 1970s , Venezuela 's governments were able to maintain social harmony by spending fairly large amounts on public programs including health care , education , transport , and food subsidies . Literacy and welfare programs benefited tremendously from these conditions . Because of the oil wealth , Venezuelan workers `` enjoyed the highest wages in Latin America . '' This situation was reversed when oil prices collapsed during the 1980s . </P>
in the early 1980s venezuela was the richest country in latin america because of
in the early 1980s venezuela was the richest country in latin america because of
a strong oil sector in the 1960s and 1970s
a strong oil sector in the 1960s and 1970s