History placed Juan Guaidó on the forefront of the Venezuelan opposition. He wasn’t looking for that, and we couldn’t have foreseen it. I talked to him about the challenge of fulfilling sky-high expectations while making sure others don’t sneak ahead of him in the final lap.
Venezuela had always been violent, but crime soared beginning in 1999. Waking up, late, to this reality, the government tried to fight crime with limitless violence. Two decades on, we’re the third most violent country on earth, and the second most murderous.
The revolution’s aim at a feudal state controlled by mafias grows stronger as smugglers and the black market thrive with the shortage of gasoline. Who will survive this mayhem? Ruthless mafias or scared citizens?
Lorent Saleh is a rebel who didn’t need political parties, he fought cops and claimed he’d use snipers. No one backed him up then, and nobody knows why he’s out of jail. Or do we?
Chavismo has proven to be efficient in only one thing: taking over Venezuelan media, shaping the news to their convenience, turning the citizens against journalists and restricting or, well, anhilating freedom of information.
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.