Another evening, here I sit inside my hotel, afraid to be out after dark, with the security guard and his 16-caliber rifle, 8 video cameras - one going directly to the police station, and the whole place enclosed behind a 12-foot wall with an electrical fence on top, laughing at my friends who are looking at the idyllic topical beach photos I've been posting on Facebook and saying they're gonna come to Venezuela for their next holiday.

When I went to Iraq, everyone said I was crazy. Some even said suicidal. But only a few people said anything about the danger in Venezuela. The fact is, I have a 4 times greater chance of getting killed in Venezuela than I ever had in war-torn Iraq!

I'm in one of the safest parts of Venezuela. Yet still, a Brit was shot and killed and his brother stabbed in their hotel two weeks ago. Not to mention all the guests robbed. (And I'd originally planned to stay at that hotel!)

With the police solving less than 10% of all homicides, it is often easier for a criminal to just shoot his victim rather than leave a potential witness.

(BTW...I've been quoted -out of interest not intent- that a “hired hit” costs as little as $100.)

But violent crime is also huge here. Two days ago, a Spanish man staying at my hotel was robbed at gun point -during the day! With cars passing by! That means these thieves have no fear!

And then there's corruption...this is a tourist town – most everyone makes their money from tourists. Penalties for crimes against tourists are twice as severe. Yet still, another American staying at my hotel was pulled into the local one-room police station and his $100 bill replaced -by the police- with a counterfeit one!

Kidnappings are also huge here...but have no first-hand accounts of any...yet.

Venezuela is far from being a super poor nation. Yes, it's economy is shrinking and it's inflation is a crazy 23%. But I think it has more to do with President Hugo Chavez. His weekly rhetoric fuels resentment against the rich and his policies have the educated officials leaving their posts in droves.  Then add to that, the fact that the whole country is awash with Russian firearms. Under his last 11 years of rule, crime has increased 134%!

Margarita Island is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And Venezuelans are incredibly friendly, with a childlike live for the moment attitude. But still, this is no place to take the kids!

Tourism is dying due to the violence

Police patroling the beach