Category Archives: Society

How do you eat a barrel of oil?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

I ask ’cause if the dire predictions come true, that’s what we’re gonna have to do. In the Transitions blog, I wonder if we’re on the road to becoming a failed state. My money quote: Venezuela has so far avoided … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, Drugs, Society | 16 Comments

Luisa Estela is down, but not out

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

The Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ) selects its leadership at the beginning of the judicial year, every January. This time, it took them until May to finally reach a consensus on its leadership. Even if incumbent TSJ President Luisa Estela Morales … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News, Justice System, Society | 17 Comments

More goons, please

Posted on May 9, 2013 by

Violence in Caracas reached new highs in April, and the numbers so far from May aren’t much better. Given this scenario, Nicolás Maduro announced this week that the Armed Forces would participate in a special security plan. In his words, … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Nicolas Maduro, Society, Violence | 34 Comments

Overheard at a Tool convention

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

It must be nice to work for Centro Internacional Miranda: get a hefty salary, spout off a bunch of clichés, and be bathed in the veneer of official intellectual responsability. En tierra de ciegos and all that … Here are … Continue reading →

Posted in Society | 62 Comments

Workplace bullying as public policy

Posted on April 23, 2013 by

In the last few days, mutiple press reports indicate that some public sector workers have been fired and others have suffered harassment because of their political stance after the presidential election. Audio clips of several heads of public bodies (like … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, Human Rights, In Other News, Labor Movement, Misiones, Opposition, Presidential Election, Society | 32 Comments

Old and New Media Team Up to Lay Bare Maduro’s CDI-Attack Lie

Posted on April 17, 2013 by

Venezuelan State Media reported yesterday that there were several violent attacks on Barrio Adentro outpatients clinics (known as CDI or Integral Diagnostic Centers) by opposition suporters on Monday night. Those reports were later repeated by Nicolás Maduro himself and Information … Continue reading →

Posted in In Other News, Nicolas Maduro, Presidential Election, Violence | 46 Comments

Prosecutor, judge and jury

Posted on April 17, 2013 by

Supreme Tribunal chief Luisa Estella Morales says: “There won’t be a manual recount.” All of the sudden, she starts feeling guilty about people dying on the streets, and threatens Capriles. For a different take, I suggest José Ignacio Hernández’s article … Continue reading →

Posted in Corruption, Justice System | 60 Comments

Double dose of crazy

Posted on April 15, 2013 by

As many of you, I watched Nicolás Maduro’s speech last night in awe. Not only was it a rambling, incoherent mess; it also made clear what everyone seems to be catching on to – that Maduro is insane. For me, … Continue reading →

Posted in Electric Crisis, infrastructure, Nicolas Maduro | 26 Comments

Wildfires on the rise

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

For a week, a massive wildfire has caused serious damage in Canaima National Park. This recent photograph from the newspaper Correo del Caroní shows how the fire has now reached the Auyán-tepui. The news report indicate authorities on the ground … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, In Other News, Society | 19 Comments

Google Hangout with Rory Carroll

Posted on April 8, 2013 by

My chat with Rory Carroll, author of the new book, “Comandante,” just ended. Also available via Youtube.

Posted in Blogging, Society | 32 Comments

Piñata Ethics (Updated)

Posted on April 1, 2013 by

So I got myself in a bit of trouble yesterday. My wife, who is very not-Venezuelan read Emiliana’s story about the Semana Santa operativos with evident alarm. But worse was to come when she got to the provocative exchange in the comments section about our pre-eminent childhood … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Venezuelan Culture, Violence | Tagged | 132 Comments

Jail House Night-Club, cont.

Posted on March 27, 2013 by

Looks like the El Rodeo I’s month-old nightclub won’t the only one up and running in the Venezuelan prison system. According to El Nacional’s crime reporter Thabata Molina, this Good Thrusday will be the brand new opening of a night-club … Continue reading →

Posted in In Other News, Prisons | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Assad and Maduro, still BFFs

Posted on March 25, 2013 by

In its last meeting, the UN Human Rights Council voted to extend the probe of the ongoing Syrian civil war until next year. The resolution was approved by 41 votes to 1, with five countries abstaining: Ecuador, India, Kazakhstan, Philippines … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, International, Nicolas Maduro | 12 Comments

Jail House Night-Club

Posted on March 24, 2013 by

Remember that nightclub in Tocorón Prison from last year? Well, it now has serious competition from a brand new place inside El Rodeo I in Guatire, just outside Caracas. It opened last month with a huge party including giant screens, a … Continue reading →

Posted in In Other News, Prisons | 32 Comments

Venetur Hotels: where politics come first

Posted on March 22, 2013 by

Tourism Minister Alejandro Fleming ordered via Twitter that Venetur (State-owned company in charge of tourism services, including 14 hotels across the country) not to hire “…anyone who makes profit by offending the Revolution”. This swift decision was made after Venezuelan … Continue reading →

Posted in Chavismo, In Other News, Society, The Economy | 51 Comments