For kids in Venezuela’s hard-scrabble areas, it used to be the dream: get noticed by a pro scout and leave the barrio behind for the Big Leagues. But try as they might to hang on to the dream, the crisis is wringing the hope out of a new generation of peloteros.
Every day, dozens of children and teenagers roam freely on the streets of Chacao municipality. They form gangs, beg for food or something to sell, steal what they can from shops and rob people. The government, of course, denies this happens so they won’t have to fix it.
After a month of Maduro’s new economic measures, what’s life like on the formerly crowded streets of Caracas? Lots of closed shops, and not a lot of hope.
This school year, 15% of schools may shut down: between 400 and 500 preschools, elementary schools and high schools won’t be able to open in September. The new economic measures put a noose around the neck of parents and representatives, teachers and students alike.
Politicians called for a general strike against the reconversion and the measures announced last Friday. Around 60% of citizens complied, most cities in Venezuela partially shut down. The thing is: What now? Was it enough? What comes next?
Caraqueños were nervous because of what would happen on Monday. What Nicolás Maduro said during a mandatory broadcast on Friday was just the panic cherry on top of the fear flavored ice cream.
We took to the streets in order to take a closer look at the motor vehicle census 2018. We didn’t see long lines; but desinformation, political proselytism, confusion and fear of losing the little we have left.
“Hell on Earth” is how Maracaibo residents describe the city undergoing a terrible electricity crisis, unthinkable in any other modern nation. And you know what the government will do about it: absolutely nothing.
José Ibarra’s last paycheck was five million bolivars, less than two dollars. He spends one million only in transport. He hasn’t bought a new pair of shoes in three years and when he tweeted a photo of his worn out shoes, Venezuelans stepped up to help.
On June 25, nurses unions started a strike to demand wage raises like the ones given to the military, with a 2,400% adjustment on average. Since then, the entire health sector has joined the strike.
We’ve been able to hang on for 22 years in one of the craziest media landscapes in the world. We’ve seen different media outlets in Venezuela (and abroad) closing shop, something we’re looking to avoid at all costs. Your collaboration goes a long way in helping us weather the storm.
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