Caracas Chronicles

Photo: The Japan Times, retrieved.

The government of El Salvador said on Saturday that it ordered Venezuelan diplomats in the country to leave within 48 hours, a decision aligned with its position to not recognize Nicolás’s legitimacy. In his statement, President Nayib Bukele recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaidó as caretaker President until there’s a free election. In consequence, El Salvador is open to receive a new Venezuelan diplomatic representation appointed by Guaidó. In strict compliance of the reciprocity principle, Nicolás’s government ordered Ecuador’s diplomatic representatives to abandon the country within 48 hours. According to Jorge Arreaza, this “unbelievable decision” only intends to maximize the “dying American intervention and economic blockade strategy.” 

Reactions Online 

“El Salvador has backed the Venezuelan cause and further isolates Maduro’s regime. It’s part of the international pressure that has to find us on the streets,” wrote Juan Guaidó, who thanked President Bukele for his support to Venezuela’s fight. On the other hand, Arreza called Bukele “a sad pawn of the empire” and paid attention to the accounts that backed the decision of the Salvadoran President, but Bukele’s digital strategy overpowered the government’s, with craftiness and irony. The most important fact is that chavismo is kicking out representatives appointed by their “comrade” Sánchez Cerén, former president of El Salvador, who was in the pathetic event in Cuba, where he rejected Bukele’s decision. Nayib tweeted: “Sánchez Cerén, after a months of not even commenting on what happens in our country, immediately interjects defending his sponsor.” He obviously means Venezuela. 

Chavismo, Cynicism Machine 

– With two years in hyperinflation, (it’s expected that 2019 will end with 200,000 %) and a 35% economic contraction this year, Nicolás’s government is participating in the UN Organizations for Industrial Development Conference in Abu Dhabi. The ad interim business charge d’affaires in the United Arab Emirates, Samir Al Attrach, and former minister, Jesse Chacón, are the high-level representatives. 

– Delcy Rodríguez, Nicolás’s vice-president, informed about her return to the country after her trip to India to “strengthen the multilateral and bilateral bonds.” She was cynical enough to assure that she’s following Ghandi’s principles: that peace is her “only” way. Said by the same official who said that her form of government was her “vendetta.” 

– The regime sent dozens of people to the Anti Imperialist Solidarity Summit for Democracy celebrated in Havana. Adán Chávez, ambassador to Cuba, said that over half of the delegation is leaders from Psuv’s national committee and arrived to the island last Thursday. How much are we paying for tickets, hotels, food and transportation? No sanctions for these trips, but they say that there are sanctions preventing them from buying medicine. 

– Nicolás attended the event’s closing ceremony. He made the most out of it and sent corny (and spiritist) messages about Chávez’s and Fidel’s presence, he flattered Salvador Allende, he said to Bukele that “history won’t absolve you” and that those who “mess with us, will pay”. He said that this group of dictators is building an alternative to neoliberalism, of course glorifying Cuba as an example, the goal, the promised land. Only in October, Díaz Canel’s dictatorship arrested eight opposition members, according to human rights organizations. Those are the people who stand in “solidarity” with democracy. 

Briefs & Serious

– Interior minister Néstor Reverol said they’ll deploy over 192,682 officers for “Navidades Seguras 2019.” They’ll be of service in two shifts, with over 3,000 checkpoints. 

– Iván Simonovis, Guaidó’s special commissioner for security and intelligence, said on Saturday that he held a meeting with countries in the TIAR to identify legal ways to sanction Nicolás’s regime. 

– Brazilian prosecutors said that Greek tanker “Bouboulina,” which transported Venezuelan oil, spilled oil in Brazil’s northeastern coast. Reuters reviewed a document from the federal police that explains that the ship, property of Delta Tankers Ltd, spilled oil around 700 kms from the Brazilian coast, after loading up in Jose, in Venezuela. Delta Tankers Ltd assures 

that the complete revision of cameras and sensors on the ship didn’t show evidence of a spill. 

– Justices in exile said they’ll be holding “internal elections” to appoint a new board to “oversee the decisions in the next two years,” according to Justice Antonio Marval.

We, the Pariahs 

Venezuelans in Peru now have until November 13th to apply for a Temporary Stay Permit (PTP). After this deadline, they won’t issue PTPs anymore. Any Venezuelan without a PTP or an exceptional permit could be sent to immigration and be deported. This could violate international institutions’ demands to consider Venezuelan as refugees. This means that their lives would be in danger if they go back to their country. 

Turmoil in the Continent 

– Bolivia: leaders of civic groups meeting in Santa Cruz decided to give 48 hours to Evo Morales to resign, and sent a letter to the Armed Forces to join them in their fight, convincing them to “stand with the people” during this political crisis. Evo said that the oppositions want “dead people from the police and the Armed Forces.” So far, in the clashes between opposition and police, 191 people have been detained and 60 police officers have been injured, according to authorities. Evo called for an emergency meeting with his unions because of the opposition’s ultimatum. Protests haven’t stopped in La Paz. 

– Chile: the INDH expressed its concern on Saturday for the injuries 157 people suffered during the protests against the social crisis. On Sunday, Cadem said that President Sebastián Piñera is down one point, 13% vs. 14% he had last week. He has 78% disapproval, which according to the surveyor is the “lowest approval ratings a president’s had since the return of democracy.” The images of the cyclists march in Santiago are beautiful. 

– Mexico: Argentinian President Elect Alberto Fernández arrived on Saturday to Mexico City to meet with Andrés Manuel López Obrador (on November 4th) and offer a college conference.  AMLO, who’s been criticized for the failed operation on October 17th (capturing and releasing El Chapo’s son), said on Saturday that there are no conditions for a coup d’état in México. On Sunday, he said that there’s nothing to fear because his government is on the right track. Does it ring any bells? 

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Several journalists informed on Sunday that TSJ Justice Maikel Moreno was taken to the emergency room in the Hospital de Clínicas Caracas, after he had a heart attack. On Sunday afternoon, Nelson Bocaranda provided another version: on Saturday he had to undergo stress tests after a catheterization from which he already recovered.