I spent two weeks in Venezuela in the late 80's and travelled to many different parts of the country. The diparity I noted at that time between the very rich and poor was very evident, and especially so in Caracas. Upscale, gated houses overlooked illegal communities made up of tin shacks with open sewers and head high electric wires strung about - all perched on the steep slopes of the sourrounding muddy hills. I suspect it was these very poor housing conditions that has improved under Chavez.