The New Year's Eve celebration put up by chavista mayor Erika Farías failed to fill up Caracas's smallish Plaza Bolívar. A few people turned up to dance, to forget hunger and deprivation for a while. Even that was too much to ask.
December's pork-leg riots left middle class Venezuelans seething in contempt of people who care more about a Christmas pork roast than basic freedom and democracy. They never learned Maslow's lesson: when you're hungry, nothing else matters.
For the final part of my 2017 digest, we watch as the Constituyente enforces its power, as the political opposition shoots itself in the foot and as we enter full-blown economic catastrophe.
My second digest of 2017 in Caracas Chronicles goes from the protests in their maximum splendor, to their disgraceful end in August, as daily tragedies continue to play out.
To close out the year, here’s the first part of my selection of all the best Caracas Chronicles had to offer. From social inertia to upfront conflict, this is how we opened (and fought through) 2017.
At last, the “narcosobrinos” have been sentenced, guilty of drug trafficking. What the court transcripts reveal, however, is a circle of corruption and connivance only possible in revolution.
Last sunday, I went to different voting stations to see how the “Puntos Rojos” influence elections. Chavismo is betting on fear, implicit threats and your empty stomach.
Bullfighting is a great analogy for the municipal election on Sunday. It might sometimes feel like the bull has a chance, but it’s all part of the show.
Your yearly briefing for 2016. Translated by Javier Liendo.
It's estimated that by 2016, two million Venezuelans had left the country. Some left in search of a better life, some for fear of dying, most left everything behind. None have done so by choice.
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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