Venezuela’s collapse is usually seen through headlines or figures, and we don’t get the chance to see what it all means and what it does to the ones who endure it. No matter how privileged you think you are, it will all get to you.
In Barquisimeto, 400 km west of Caracas, we haven’t escaped the longest blackout in Venezuelan history. We have survived for a month with no electricity or water, it’s been an emotional roller coaster caused by the lack of basic services.
Caretaker President presented the Law of Guarantees to public sector employees. Deputy José Guerra presented a plan for progressively increasing minimum wage. EU gets back to work with their proposed Contact Group to solve our crisis. Special envoy Elliot Abrams will travel to Latin America and meet with allies in the region.
This report by Human Rights Watch in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is perhaps the most comprehensive, detailed international report made on the crisis so far.
One century ago, this was a dictator’s favorite city. In the 90s, it was the place where Hugo Chávez prepared his coup. Now, at the Círculo Militar the privileged in uniform can be spared of the predicaments of civilians.
In Venezuela, there have been politicians who have also been writers, but there’s only one case of a president who was a writer more than anything else, and his name was Rómulo Gallegos. He died this day, in 1969.
Human Rights Watch, with help from Johns Hopkins University researchers, issued a report on the Venezuelan crisis, urging UN to act. The World Bank also issued a report presenting a bleak picture of the economic crisis. Jorge Arreaza praises Al-Assad in Syria and regime officials continue to request financial help from Russia. NATO countries discuss Russian troops in Venezuela and the U.S. requests UN Security Council meeting.
There can be a huge gap between reality and propaganda, and between what Venezuelans experience on the ground and what leftist Americans or Canadians can say to confirm their own preconceptions. What does Venezuela’s Roscharch image say about you?
The war against Venezuela is now “electric, electromagnetic, cybernetic and psychic,” according to Maduro. It doesn’t matter how many types of war are fought against us, CORPOELEC will still be “restructured”. It’s highly likely that the Russian missiles were damaged during the blackouts.
The Red Cross will distribute humanitarian aid to Venezuelans in need. Chavismo will bring medical supplies from China and called it “an exercise of sovereignty and independence”. Diosdado confused everyone when he called military training and exercises a “battle for peace”. On Friday night, the third nationwide blackout in a month left 21 states in the dark.
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.