Ten Years Ago Tonight

There’s a strange symmetry to it: exactly ten years ago tonight, amid the outbreak of collective mass delusion that was the 2002-2003 Paro, tens of thousands of us were...

Altamira: 10 Years Ago
Altamira: December 31st, 2002

There’s a strange symmetry to it: exactly ten years ago tonight, amid the outbreak of collective mass delusion that was the 2002-2003 Paro, tens of thousands of us were gathered on the Distribuidor Altamira for a flag-waving, slogan chanting New Year’s Eve-cum-political protest.

Tonight, as the country huddles around for a muted celebration in expectation of news from Havanna, it strikes me: 2003 may well be remembered as the second most bizarre New Year’s of the Chávez era.

Happy New Year, everyone. Que nos agarre confesados.