Fear Takes Over and Crushes Daily Life in Venezuela
Even if you’re trying to lead a normal life, powerlessness, uncertainty and panic will slowly but surely creep up on you.
Politics
Alcaldía Mayor: a eulogy
When chavismo reached power, it created a post that would cause them many headaches, the Alcaldía Metropolitana. Killed last year, these are the life and times of the controversial office.
In Guayana Looters Pick Stores Clean, Move Onto Homes
Looting used to be just about stores. But as the crisis deepens, people's homes are becoming targets, too.
The Limits of Chavismo’s Strategy
Chavismo spent 20 years making people dependent on Papá Gobierno, then it ran out of money. How does loyalty work in times of hunger?
Surprise! They helped people loot, now there's no food
Last week, the government forced supermarkets to sell out their stocks at huge discounts. Now those shelves are empty and you can forget about restocks.
The Unmet Promise of Delson Guárate, Mayor Turned Exile
The mayor of El Limón, Delson Guárate, is now another opposition leader in exile. His is a classic story of chavista harassment – and shady, possibly apocryphal backroom deals.
Julio's Legacy
Yes, Venezuela's National Assembly. Yet, Marcel Gascón argues, Julio Borges’ tenure as its speaker was more harmful to chavismo than many give credit him for.
No food, just looting: The Hot Start to 2018
Looting and social conflict were endemic in 2017, and 2018 looks to be even more conflict-ridden. The government's attempt to let off steam by overseeing “legal looting” can barely contain people's desperation.
Hanging Out at The Bus Stop
How does a city of a million people even operate when the public transport system good-as collapses? Badly. Very badly.
The Elephant in the Pernil Room: Subsidizing Pork is Madness
Maslow? Give me a break. Pernilgate isn't about food. It's about the illusion of abundance amid dire scarcity, and about the scale of devastation a government can inflict when nobody who makes economic policy understands the concept of opportunity cost.
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