The recent news about populist President Hugo Chavez's undisclosed cancer...has not been good.
Plus, there is a long list of troubles...from staple food shortages to frequent electricity outages.
On the other hand, there is joy in Caracas today...after its surprising futbal squad beat Chile 2-1...to reach the Copa America semi-finals...and face Paraguay on Wednesday.
In Venezuela, la pelota/baseball has always been more popular than futbal.
It is also the only nation in South America never to reach the World Cup.