The Book
In praise of Blogging the Revolution
“Caracas Chronicles has been an indispensable source of lucidity and perspective in these turbulent times in Venezuela. Toro and Nagel have been right on target, without pretending to be ludicrously impartial; they have been able to rise above polarization, trying hard to make sense of an often implausible reality. Blogging the Revolution shows them at their best. If you are not already a fan, you will become one.”
- Francisco J. Monaldi, RFK Visiting Professor at Harvard Kennedy School and Director, Center on Energy at IESA in Caracas.Recent Comments
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Monthly Archives: June 2011
Chávez: Being Diagnosed with Cancer Reminds me of That One Time I Got Toppled
There was plenty in Chávez’s speech tonight that was just plain weird, but none could have been weirder than this bit: This also brings to my memory right now those dark hours of April 11th, 2002. Then, also, I sent … Continue reading
The option on the table
A few days ago, Barinas Governor and Presidential brother Adán Chávez, rumored to be next in line to the throne, warned the nation that “armed struggle” was another mechanism to obtain and hold power. You might think this is mere … Continue reading
The “C” Word UPDATED
Yes sir. The “C” word crossed his lips. In weirdly circumlocuitous, adjetival form – as though “Células Cancerígenas” meant anything other than…well…that. Poor guy. Update: The video is now up and it’s weird. Chávez reading. Leaning on his “S”s. Sounding … Continue reading
The opposition’s restless base
After my post a few days ago criticizing Henrique Capriles for being vague, I got an earful from those on the other side. People close to the Governor gently called me out for being in too much of a hurry. … Continue reading
Posted in Henrique Capriles, Opposition
31 Comments
My governor joins the fray
Tal Cual is reporting that Zulia Governor Pablo Pérez will anounce his candidacy on July 5th, when he will address the Zulia parliament. I landed in Maracaibo and was promptly greeted by his face, smiling at me from a number … Continue reading
Posted in Corruption, Pablo Perez
22 Comments
The math of NPI
A slimmed-down Chávez goes on TV, chats with Fidel in Cuba + Chávez suspends the all-important 5th of July Latin American Summit for health reasons = Nobody knows anything. Seriously folks, I’ve talked to a number of informed people in … Continue reading
Chávez’s health issues are good for the economy (Updated)
Chávez may be gravely ill, and the investors are lovin’ it … (HT: LC) Update – A friend writes telling me that the rally in Venezuelan bonds may be the result of the Venezuelan government buying up the bonds. In … Continue reading
Posted in Bonds
38 Comments
Who is this guy?
An interesting interview with opposition front-runner Henrique Capriles. The interview is chock-full of good quotes. The guy is undoubtedly good, stays on message, is appealing without being abrasive, and is comfortable enough with himself to pass the “guy-I-wanna-have-a-beer-with” test. And … Continue reading
Posted in Henrique Capriles
16 Comments
Attention Deficit Disorder: El Rodeo Edition
One time, covering an opposition march, I found myself right in the thick of a National Guard tear gas cloud. The next 20 seconds were easily the most uncomfortable of my life: it feels like your entire body is on … Continue reading
Posted in Human Rights
23 Comments
Chávez in the Past Tense UPDATED
Chavista National Assembly Member Israel Sotillo (a.k.a. el Diputado Mozilla) is now tweeting about Hugo Chávez in the past tense: “Chávez was a great man and will live forever in the heart of our great nation.” Weird. My tune-it-out-it’s-just-noise instinct is … Continue reading
1000 Word Chronicles
El Rodeo I after the riot: Amazingly, the uprising at El Rodeo II is ongoing, with 1300 inmates still living there (eating what? surviving how?) And in case you’re wondering, no, there’s no room in Venezuela’s other jails for the … Continue reading
Posted in Human Rights
4 Comments
You know you’re home …
… when the topic of conversation over lunch is “thirty-year old women we know who have died on the operating table from botched plastic surgery procedures.”
Posted in In Other News, Society
43 Comments
Opposition proposals for dealing with jails are not one in the same
In the past few days, both Leopoldo López and Julio Borges (who I assume was speaking on behalf of Henrique Capriles) unveiled plans for dealing with Venezuela’s horrific prisons. López basically wants nicer jails; more jails; to separate prisoners according … Continue reading
Posted in Henrique Capriles, Leopoldo López, Violence
31 Comments
It’s a renter’s market
Venezuela has a severe housing shortage, a crisis of titanic proportions, if you will. Yet any casual foreign observer would wonder why, in this context, there aren’t rental properties sprouting up everywhere. The answer lies in Venezuela’s Soviet-style rental property … Continue reading
Let’s Play “Chigüire or Not”
Simple game, really: I give you a headline, you try to guess if it’s a Bipolar satire or a real story before clicking on it. Ready? “Our Commander in Chief Is in the Best of Shapes” (“Nuestro Comandante en Jefe … Continue reading
Posted in In Other News
20 Comments
