However, the large 8 and 10 m telescopes will surely change this situation. Obviously, we need not only better quality data of a few objects, but data of the best quality possible on a large number of objects to establish more constrains on the large scale picture of galaxy formation and evolution. A few galaxies here and there is not enough. The current status of Venezuela as a whole is quite uncertain. The role of science in society is unclear.
Astronomy is considered much less of a priority and less necessary than other sciences.
We do not produce either food or money, only knowledge, and that is not very attractive to the government, nor to the population. Modern astronomy is quite young in Venezuela. It started less than 25 years ago. There are few people working on astronomy in the country, but many of us have made a real effort to increase this number. We have trained many excellent students.