| Hi there, This week we want to focus on two countries who face similar problems with grand corruption: Angola and Venezuela. Both are rich with natural resources and have the potential to create and redistribute wealth for their citizens; but in both places the devastating effects of corruption are keeping citizens poor. Grand corruption is the abuse of high-level power that benefits the few at the expense of the many, and causes serious and widespread harm to individuals and society. In the case of Angola, one family and its cronies have controlled the country for almost 40 years. Corruption has enriched this small ruling elite, while more than two thirds of the country’s population live in poverty. It is the archetype of a captured state enabled by grand corruption, and even recent elections are unlikely to bring about change. Meanwhile, Venezuelans are suffering both a humanitarian and economic disaster at the hands of those in power. Their actions are bankrupting the country despite sitting on the world's largest oil reserve. They have taken control of the entire architecture of government - from the judiciary to the parliament - and are misusing it to enrich themselves. Keep this name on your radar: Ricardo Martinelli The former Panamanian president, who faces corruption charges in his home country, will hear from a judge in Miami, Florida on 31 August whether or not he will be extradited. In our view, leaders who use their office for their own personal gain must be held to account - more on that next week. | 
