Caracas Chronicles

Photo: El Nuevo Herald Retrieved

For the first time since Juan Guaidó took his oath as Caretaker President, the usurper and him spoke simultaneously: Guaidó from Bolívar Sq. in Chacao, surrounded by citizens and only on the internet; Nicolás from Miraflores Palace, in a mandatory broadcast on radio and television. Guaidó had to squeeze through a huge crowd to get to the podium set for this event, which was called just last night on social media.

He began asking for a minute of silence for all the victims left by the fierce repression these days. “On January 23, Venezuela woke up from a nightmare and from the anguish of believing that we would always live that way. Venezuela woke up to dream and to make those dreams come true: that they’ll see the return of relatives, friends; bread on the table, that humanitarian aid will enter the country,” he said, thanking the sacrifices of so many people (the murdered, the political prisoners, the exiled) for us to “reach this point.”

For the first time since Juan Guaidó took his oath as Caretaker President, the usurper and him spoke simultaneously.

He ratified to the usurpers that they’re isolated and that they won’t fall in the same usual trap: first repression to frighten us and then the offer of a false dialogue. “False dialogue that nobody wants, the only possible element is one that leads to the end of the usurpation,” said Guaidó. In his opinion, they’ve used the FAES as the last resort to repress, because the military has refused to take that ignominy and connected with the statement: “It’s time for Cuba to leave the Armed Forces, it’s time for them to leave the decision-making posts!”, without denying Cubans the possibility to stay here, but out of the Armed Forces. He asked the military once to stand by the Constitution and the people, saying that it will be the arrival of humanitarian aid what will persuade them.

The usurper spiced up the story of the alleged meeting between Guaidó and Diosdado Cabello, adding that Freddy Bernal was a witness. The Caretaker President replied: “Freddy, Diosdado, if you want to talk about transition, you’re always welcome, we’ll wait for you at the National Assembly.” He called for two actions this weekend: on Saturday, holding open assemblies to honor the victims and on Sunday, once we had downloaded the Amnesty Law, we can hand over a copy to any military neighbor, friend or relative, so they can read it and understand what it’s about.

The tone, style and messages of this speech were a lesson on spokesmanship.

“We’ll be back on the streets next week, where we’ve always been,” he said, adding that this Sunday, they’ll announce the day and the place. “We’ll be back on the streets until we achieve freedom, the end of the usurpation, the transition government and free elections.” His message to the diaspora was: “We miss you very much (…) Prepare to return very soon; also, we’ll receive you in la Guaira, my hometown.”

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The tone, style and messages of this speech were a lesson on spokesmanship. There was security in his words, and he managed to convey (even with his jokes) the importance of the moment and the advantage of his position, which he didn’t reveal. Prudence is a virtue and the construction of peace, a necessity.

#VamosBien