In 1998, Venezuela elects a new government
amidst a political crisis, politicians were regarded as incapable of delivering
solutions and parties were discredited. The country turned its eyes to
candidates that were far from the political scene believing that the
lack of experience was the solution to a problem that the experienced
ones were no longer capable of solving. As a result, a democratically
elected regime dramatically changed the dynamics of the country, taking control
of public spaces step-by-step until becoming what it is today.
Changes to the constitution allowed unlimited
reelection. Also, members of the supreme court of justice are appointed by hand
as well as the elections council (CNE), and the president of the National
Assembly. All of them must publicly sing the chorus “Patria, Socialismo o
Muerte” to gain the respect of the government and remain in power, militaries
were also obliged to support the party in power to complete the power puzzle
Venezuelans face today. Not satisfied with obtaining all public spaces, the
government has in the last 15 years managed to intimidate the media,
expropriate channels, enterprises, buildings and farms in the name of the
“people”, ultimately silencing the voices of millions of Venezuelans.
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This is a photo of
Leopoldo Lopez incarceration, February 18th. 2013
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But there is a reason behind this thorough
campaign seeking to silence each possible public space, not allowing the world
to know the truth. And the truth is that corruption has destroyed every part of
our country, because even with the high oil prices and the revenues received
each year, accounting for 60 billion dollars, they were not capable of
transforming the country. This lack of capacity to bring welfare has
been compensated with oppression.
The truth that can’t be informed is that
inflation reached 57% last year and a minimum wage of 3500 Bolivares can no
longer buy food for a month at price 9800 Bolivares. Our currency has devalued
more than 800% in real terms and the government is hiding this with currency
exchange restrictions, at the same time, 24.000 crimes occurred in the country
in 2013 and only 1 of every 10 crimes finds justice. While all this happens,
the so-called socialists accumulate more wealth than the best paid CEO’s
according to Forbes Magazine.
Some days ago, the Minister for Education
clearly stated: “We are not going to take people out of poverty so they
become middle class and join the opposition”, sending the clear message
that they need people to be poor so they can spend less resources in the crumbs
that make the votes happen. It is the revolution of poverty, disguised
of hope and the idea of a better nation, one that is far from existing.
Venezuelans were forced to take sides as
former president Chavéz stated: “You are either with me, or against me”. And
this one-sided “democracy” developed into this monster of promises, however,
lack of food in the supermarkets and violence, which has been blamed to an
opposition that has no media to fight back, have made the people take the last
resort at hand: the streets. After one month of protests, more than 1100 people
have been incarcerated, including political leaders, people have been tortured
and 25 students have lost their lives, as protest increase, the regime has
increase intimidation and repression. It seems like it will be a long
path to freedom and democracy, but as the now incarcerated opposition leader
said: “We are at the right side of history".
Vincente Blanco
Traduzione qui: Venezuela: la verità imbavagliata
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