26 people have died in the last two months while using trucks as public transport.
Daily Briefing
Chavista Meekness
Your daily briefing for Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Translated by Javier Liendo
Finding Meaning in the ANC’s New Godgiven Presidency
Diosdado Cabello is the new president of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC). Does Maduro not know giving more power to Diosdado is dangerous, level mono-con-hojilla?
Government Causes Electricity Crisis, Is Powerless to Fix It
It’s the same old combination causing the electricity crisis that took over the entire nation: lack of maintenance, corruption and overall inefficiency. According to Zulia State government, there are also astronomical phenomena involved.
The Sanctions Predicament
New sanctions on Venezuelan officials are often cause for celebration at home and abroad, but they are flawed and ineffective. What do effective sanctions look like and where do we start?
The FIFA World Cup is Here: Why You Cryin’?
The thing about the World Cup is that its vibe is contagious, even for the sports pariahs. It’s like a breath of fresh air and a reason to smile despite everything that’s depressing for Venezuelans right now.
Villca Fernández’ Forced Exile Is Unconstitutional. So?
As the Venezuelan government treats political prisoners like trading cards and the imposed exile of Villca Fernández reminds us how far the walls of our prisons stretch.
Feminism in Socialism: Rue & Malt Abortion or Sterilization
The Intercept’s latest piece tells the stories of Venezuelan women who have to do dangerous things to their bodies and take the most desperate measures to prevent pregnancies —or end them.
Previous Posts
Happy 23rd Birthday, from Crimes and Violence Against Women
Under the “we have bigger problems” excuse Venezuelan citizens remain unmoving, quiet and unmoved about the issue of violence against women. Turning a blind eye solves nothing.
Third ‘Batch’ of Political Prisoners Released, Same M.O.
Foro Penal said in a statement that out of 43 “political prisoners” that were released yesterday, only 17 of those are in fact political prisoners.
Public Transportation Crisis in Maracaibo is Even More Mollejúa
Maracuchos go through the same public transportation crisis the whole country drowns in. The only difference is that they have to keep going under the most extreme temperatures and the blistering sun.
Guess Who’s Back, Back Again, Polio is Back, Tell a Friend!
30 years later, polio is back in Venezuela. The victims, as usual, are the most vulnerable: unimmunized Warao people. The thing the government doesn’t get is that the there’s no screwing around with this stuff.
Venezuela from Afar: A Brief History So Far
A few decades ago we were the rich, politically stable, democratic kids on the block in our neighborhood. Tables have turned and Venezuela is perceived, and portrayed, painfully accurately all over the media.
Chavistas Design a Tailor-Made Opposition and it Suits Them Fine
It’s easier to win if you build your new enemies from the ashes of the leaders you burned, jailed after shady legal proceedings, barred from running for office or forced into exile. It’s exactly what the dictatorship’s doctors prescribed.
What to Expect When You’re Electing, Colombian Edition
With their presidential election, Colombians thought this long campaign was finally over. But the results of the first round suggest it’s all just getting started.
19 Member States Pass OAS Resolution on the May 20 Election
The OAS passed a major resolution on Venezuela this Tuesday with 19 votes in favor, including one from the Dominican Republic that took us all by surprise. Is it possible they finally know what we’re dealing with?
The Silva School of Journalism: Bad Taste, Bigotry Presented as News
Jesús and Mario aren’t related, they are joined together by their hateful, #fakenews style. If only the illegitimate Hate Law applied to chavista journalists.
Venezuelan Migrants Try Finding True North: Tempting but Risky
After shortages, oppression and shortcomings, Venezuelan migrants stay illegally in the U.S., because they don’t understand how risky it is to mess with American immigration laws.
Reverse Transition, Venezuelan Style
There’s plenty of studies about how to transition back into democracy after dictatorships fall. Venezuela managed to do it the other way around.
The Other Price of the Venezuelan Exodus: Shortage of Skilled Workers
The growing diaspora is undoubtedly affecting critical sectors of the country, like healthcare, education and electrical infrastructure.
Governing Anonymously Allows Willy Casanova to Stay Inefficient
Willy Casanova, Maracaibo mayor, decides to do nothing and govern via press release. Notoriety in his case, would be counterproductive, so he takes advantage of a misinformed city.
June 4, 1830: Sucre Assassinated in Berruecos
The Libertador trusted and admired Sucre. So Bolívar’s enemies got rid of the man who could become his successor.
Totalitarianism, Actually
‘Totalitarianism’ isn’t just another word for ‘dictatorship’. It’s different, and much worse: a system that destroys all human bonds in a society. It’s something we hadn’t really seen in Venezuela...until now.
RCTV Was the First of Many: On Chavismo and Freedom of...
The steady decline of freedom of speech in Venezuela started when the government conveniently removed RCTV from the airwaves. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the last.
What Does the Latest OAS Report Really Mean?
A 400-page report commissioned by the OAS’ Secretary General sums up the horrors endured by arbitrarily detained Venezuelans. The one to blame: the Maduro government. What happens next? Will there be justice?
El País on Venezuela’s Lost Generation
Magnus Boding pens a piece for El País on the country’s young adults that will make you yearn for beach parties and friends you won’t see again.
Die Abroad from Yellow Fever, Ask Me How
For fifty cents, you too can cause a yellow fever epidemic and an international health crisis out of sheer desperation or plain journalistic curiosity.
Desolation and Fear Reign on Election Day at Gran Misión Vivienda...
A young mother living in a State’s Housing Program building had to suck it up on election day, afraid of Big Brother’s reprisal for not voting... or was it opportunism?
OAS: ‘Crimes Against Humanity Have Been Committed in Venezuela’
A long-awaited report by a panel of independent experts appointed by the OAS just came out: there’s sufficient evidence of crimes against humanity in Venezuela.
Empresas Polar Brings Us The FIFA World Cup: Noble or Lame?
Venezuela’s most important private food company makes a surprising move into our media landscape by making sure the entire country can enjoy the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Steemit: A Lifesaver Amid Hyperinflation
After the math doesn’t check out at the end of each quincena, resourceful Venezuelans turn to making extra income online on a platform called Steemit to save the month and beat hyperinflation and the crisis.
May 20: No Money, No Votes
The May 20 election revealed an obvious fact: When the chavista apparatus runs out of money or resources, they run out of votes, support and ways to incentivize or, let’s be frank, intimidate people into voting for them.
