Venezuelan Art students deal with many obstacles: little access to technical resources and supplies, crime, decaying infrastructures, few teachers left, a practically nonexistent industry and no hope of things getting better any time soon. How come there are still people studying art, then?
Daily Briefing
Boring Attempt, Country Plummets
Your daily briefing for Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Translated by Javier Liendo.
Motor Vehicle Census Was Built Around False Hope and Fear
We took to the streets in order to take a closer look at the motor vehicle census 2018. We didn’t see long lines; but desinformation, political proselytism, confusion and fear of losing the little we have left.
Bacteria & Negligence Result in Dead Children In Barquisimeto
As the healthcare crisis worsens, several reports have come to light regarding the death of 16 children in a Barquisimeto hospital. The deaths are attributed to bacteria serratia marcescens and the negligence of authorities who would rather silence the victims than help prevent more cases.
The Government Blocks El Pitazo for a Third Time
Several Venezuelan digital news outlets have been under serious cyber-attacks recently and news site El Pitazo was blocked for the third time in a year. Nobody explains the reasons behind the decision.
You Know Where Protesting Will Take You: From Citizen to Terrorist
Isaac López and over a dozen of his neighbors went to jail for protesting in their town square. He still has to show up in court every fifteen days and spend his monthly salary defending himself of a crime he didn’t commit.
The Cheap Masculinity of Venezuelan State Watchdogs
Venezuelan military and police forces have become the worst type of authority: bullies with a badge. The government loves them, but society resents them.
August 11, 1725: The University of Caracas Opens Its Doors
The first university in Venezuela was founded in 1721 and officially started functioning as such on this day in 1725. It later became the UCV, the house that, to this day, defeats the shadows.
Previous Posts
Juan Requesens: “Politicians must assume risks others won’t take”
We interviewed Juan Requesens a few days before he was snatched from home by the government's intelligence police. There's still no information of the young legislator's whereabouts.
ANC, One Year Later: Illegitimate Institution, Possible Rebellion
The ANC has behaved the way we expected: as an instrument of political control. Nonetheless, will this political monster grow even more powerful against its enemies? Or against itself?
Emigration, Remittances and CLAP: Maduro’s Three Crutches
We could argue that there’s a powerful triad keeping the government in power. Decreasing population, money sent in by the diaspora and gubernamental handouts. It seems to be working, but for how long?
Maracaibo Asphyxiated by Garbage and Efforts to Dispose of It
Trash is all around us in the fine city of Maracaibo. Mayor Willy Casanova won’t do anything about it, and people don’t know what to do with the trash. Or perhaps they do: burn it.
No Honor, Glory or Food When Enlisting in the Military Now
Enrollments in the military don’t fulfill the quota and soldiers’ salaries are insufficient. Apparently, only a few want to be part of the Venezuelan Armed Forces and participate in the country’s integral development.
NPR’s Planet Money Debates the Value of the Bolivar
NPR’s Planet Money hosts Sarah Gonzalez and Alisa Escarse interviewed Rubén Galindo, CEO of AirTM, and Mila, who used to save her money on sacks of sugar.
Maracuchos Live in Darkness and Extreme Heat, No Solution in Sight
“Hell on Earth” is how Maracaibo residents describe the city undergoing a terrible electricity crisis, unthinkable in any other modern nation. And you know what the government will do about it: absolutely nothing.
With Sentence Included
The witch hunt that’s just starting won’t distinguish between criminals and innocents.
CONATEL goes after Deutsche Welle and DW Fights Back!
Under CONATEL’s orders, pay-TV carriers were forced to take down Deutsche Welle for broadcasting a documentary on Venezuela. As if this weren’t enough, they dismissed the incident reports as “fake news”.
Esequibo Turns into a Hotspot
As the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela awaits a response from The Hague, the Esequibo struggles with illegal gangs who are violently imposing their will.
Why Did the Cuban Parasite Kill its Host?
Cuba pulled off one of the great intelligence feats of all times: gaining virtual control of a much larger, much richer country without firing a shot. So why did they let Venezuela collapse?
There’s No Escaping Newsprint-geddon, Ask Chavista News Outlets
The deliberate shortage of newsprint for most Venezuelan papers has been a good strategy for the communicational hegemony. But it now seems like it has backfired and blown up all over their presses, too.
Venezuelan Professors Rely on Donated Shoes to Get to Work
José Ibarra’s last paycheck was five million bolivars, less than two dollars. He spends one million only in transport. He hasn’t bought a new pair of shoes in three years and when he tweeted a photo of his worn out shoes, Venezuelans stepped up to help.
Surviving Chavismo: A Guide for Public Universities
Venezuelan public universities are on the brink of collapse. Will they ever be able to stand on their feet again? How can universities reconquer their autonomy? Spoiler alert: it’s about money.
A Couple of Drones
There are still more questions than answers about what happened on Saturday at Bolívar Av. Here’s what we do know.
The Stampede of the Brave
Naky weighs in on the facts as the smoke clears after an incident during the 81st anniversary of the National Guard, which the government is treating like an assassination attempt against Nicolás Maduro.
Daniel Ortega Thinks ISIS Influenced the Protests
Hundreds have fled Nicaragua due to the violent, deadly protests that have taken place in Managua. Meanwhile, Daniel Ortega would rather talk about how ISIS has influenced the dynamics of the protests, cataloguing dissidents as terrorists.
Regularization Session Approved by President Santos in Colombia
Starting August 2, 2018, Venezuelans will have rights to health, education and employment in Colombia. With a decree approved by President Santos, around 400 thousand Venezuelans are now regular migrants. Other countries should follow the lead.
Caracas Chronicles’ Young Politicians Series: Marialbert Barrios
Marialbert Barrios was 25 years old when she was elected as deputy for Primero Justicia, the youngest deputy in the current National Assembly. She frequently visits the community that elected her, not only in electoral season. Educating the population is her priority.
Schrödinger’s Exchange Controls
We can’t tell if the exchange controls are dead until we open the box. For now, it sounds more like the same old words they spew when they need money, than the end of controls over our own money.
Chavistas Not Maduristas Know What’s Up
Chávez is the good guy and Maduro came to destroy his legacy. That’s what people who still identify as chavistas think. They loudly criticize the crisis under Nicolás Maduro’s government, they cry treason against the revolution and say that socialism was never implemented in the country.
Bolívar Soberano’s Smoke and Mirrors Fix Nothing
The government’s plan is not to fight hyperinflation. They plan to fight cancer with a cup of tea. Maduro is eliminating 5 zeros instead of 3. I don’t get it either.
Powerless and Leaderless, Zulians Fumble in The Dark
The Zulian opposition struggles while the government’s agenda threatens and forces them out of the country. Meanwhile, those who stay appear to not be making an effort. We should be allowed to expect better from them.
No Room for Dissidents
As the economic and political crisis deepens, Maduro holds on to power by keeping dissident voices far away from Miraflores, no matter where they come from.
