Transparency International just released its Corruption Perceptions Index 2019, and other than placing Venezuela almost at the very bottom, it offers perspective into why corruption hits us so—and what we can do to fix it.
Last weekend, caraqueños enjoyed CúsicaFest, a two-day music festival with three generations of Venezuelan bands. It was a triumph of organization, frank capitalism and nothing but joy for those who could join the crowd.
With the vibe of “things improving in Caracas” comes a lot of chaos in a society that dollarized its trade based on trust, which is frankly a mess.
For the first time ever, movie theaters in the country, used to playing real-life dramas, crime stories and inane comedies, are showing horror films produced in Venezuela. And the reason lies in our collective anxieties.
Back in the day, Venezuela was nonexistent in popular fiction. Now we have more of a presence, but save for some notorious examples, it’s all antagonistic: We're the new bad guys.
Visual artist José Guillermo Mendoza was detained for working on the design of a booklet for a punk album. He was released today and SEBIN officials didn’t keep his things, surprising everyone.
In 2013, Yeslie Aranda lost his left leg in a car accident. Today, while achieving his dream of crossing South America on foot, he has a spiritual strength that crushes obstacles.
This is a celebration of the spirit of a place where people insist on going out at night, amid many real dangers. This is a celebration of Caracas.
When chavismo talks about “things returning to normal” regarding energy, it means “normal in Caracas.” Most of the nation suffers daily blackouts that freeze people’s lives, institutions and erodes their minds. This is how you live with a broken infrastructure.
Venezuela’s collapse is usually seen through headlines or figures, and we don’t get the chance to see what it all means and what it does to the ones who endure it. No matter how privileged you think you are, it will all get to you.
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