Original version

BBC World Service Online

From Our Own Correspondent

News

Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers.

Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers from around the world.

From Our Own Correspondent: Venezuela and Argentina

Venezuela and Argentina

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, Venezuela and Argentina

Alan Johnston presents insight from correspondents Sarah Grainger and Daniel Schweimler.

Alan Johnston presents wit and analysis from correspondents around the world. Sarah Grainger on Venezuela's prison crisis and Daniel Schweimler on Argentines' anguish over River Plate's relegation.

Alan Johnston introduces dispatches and analysis from correspondents around the world. In this edition, Sarah Grainger traces the roots of Venezuela's prison crisis and Daniel Schweimler sees the anguish of demoralised fans of relegated Argentinian football club River Plate.


Prison break - with a difference

The people of Venezuela recently watched thousands of the country's troops go into action. But they weren't confronting some invading army, or even a rebel force. The soldiers had been to quell a riot in El Rodeo, a prison complex just outside the capital Caracas. At one point the authorities were even trying to dig a tunnel IN to the prison to drag unwilling inmates OUT.

Sarah Grainger says this was just one more bleak reminder of how violent and out-of-control much of the Venezuelan penal system has become.


The tears of a fan - and a nation

In the world of football, there are some near-legendary longstanding rivalries. Just think of Real Madrid and Barcelona, or Glasgow Rangers and Celtic. In Argentina you've got the two great Buenos Aires clubs -- Boca Juniors, and River Plate. But the almost unimaginable has just happened. 

For the first time in its long history, River Plate has been relegated. Daniel Schweimler has been reflecting on this spectacular fall from sporting grace.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

From Our Own Correspondent

Venezuela and Argentina

Genres

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service