What's the matter with Venezuela?

Replace the government. The new government would need to implement free market reforms.

Its a basket case. They should probably ask the evil oil companies to come back or at the very least ask Russian oil companies to come in and help them.

Things have continued to deteriorate in Venezuela. Now a general has been caught discussing the secret use of snipers to quell riots: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article151329772.html