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[Fyrion]

I'm so sick and disgusted of all this bullsh*t. How I wish I could return to the fancy world in gaming GAF and leave alone discussions regarding politics. But this is not about politics.

I will keep divulging information for the sake of justice for all dead, imprisoned and tortured students.

Anyway. Another video, unfortunately is only available in spanish. This time is about the testimony of the President of the ONG "Fundación Sonrie Conmigo" (smile with me). The ONG president said He was blackmailed to pay 1 million U.S $$ needed to finance a political high military commander's campaign. Afterwards He and his family have to leave the country because of harassment and extortion from National Intelligence.

Another testimonial evidence that proves how rotten is this government.

Nonsense.

Whatever. I already know the reality. As I wrote before, up to you.

 

[mantidor]

Their media owners were instrumental in orchestrating a coup. That more business owners in Venezuela are not in prison is a testament to its government's restraint.

Venezuelan media is 100% controlled by the governement. Hell, they have been shutting down the internet regularly since this started.

 

[TomServo]

Also, look at how the USP has destroyed Venezuela: http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs...ocial-performance-under-hugo-chavez-in-graphs

Their inflation chart makes me call the rest of their data into question. The official exchange rate may show inflation is under control, but the real exchange rate (critical for a country dependent on imports to meet basic needs) is spiraling out of control. Look at the Venezuelan stock index if you want proof of that.

It's that destruction of their currency that enabled many of the social programs that improved the lives of the poorest citizens. That works until your currency is worthless.

 

[The Omega Man]

ok, I'll start by apologizing. I'm sorry I took thing to a whole shitty level. Won't happen again. Un abrazo compatriota.

Hermano, you estoy contigo, si necesitas información para emigrar a Canada, no dudes en contactarme, suerte.

 

[empty vessel]

Their inflation chart makes me call the rest of their data into question. The official exchange rate may show inflation is under control, but the real exchange rate (critical for a country dependent on imports to meet basic needs) is spiraling out of control. Look at the Venezuelan stock index if you want proof of that.

It's that destruction of their currency that enabled many of the social programs that improved the lives of the poorest citizens. That works until your currency is worthless.

I don't disagree that Venezuela is currently experience some currency problems. And a lot of other problems, to boot (including violent crime). The causes of these problems are complex, and the strident, well-heeled opposition and the political conflict caused by their opposition contributes to and exacerbates those problems. And some problems have gotten worse since Chavez's death. But to suggest that the record of the USP has wholesale turned Venezuela into a "shithole" has no empirical support and requires ignorance of Venezuela pre-USP to state with a straight face.

 

[TomServo]

I don't disagree that Venezuela is currently experience some currency problems. And a lot of other problems, to boot (including violent crime). The causes of these problems are complex, and the strident, well-heeled opposition and the political conflict caused by their opposition contributes to and exacerbates those problems. But to suggest that the record of the USP has turned Venezuela into a "shithole" has no empirical support.

I honestly can't comment on anything beyond their currency and their import markets. I don't know if the USP has turned Venezuela into a shithole, because I don't even know if Venezuela is currently a shithole.

I think that again we disagree on the severity of something. For a country that depends on imports to simply feed its population, a debased currency, capital controls, and a black market for hard currency that exists simply because it would be otherwise impossible to pay for imports is more than just "some currency problems."

 

[The Omega Man]

I don't disagree that Venezuela is currently experience some currency problems. And a lot of other problems, to boot (including violent crime). The causes of these problems are complex, and the strident, well-heeled opposition and the political conflict caused by their opposition contributes to and exacerbates those problems. But to suggest that the record of the USP has turned Venezuela into a "shithole" has no empirical support.

The currency problem is not current, it was a time-bomb waiting to happen since Chavez implemented the draconian currency control more than 10 years ago, what you have now it's the "currency control bubble" exploding in their faces, Airliners living because the government owes them millions of dollars, transnational companies leaving to neighboring countries such as Colombia, because the Venezuelan Government made their day to day operations impossible thanks to the currency control, this "bubble" was implemented to fool the economy into thinking that the Venezuelan currency was more stable and to prevent foreign currency to leave the country.
Now you have this, corruption in the government is incredible high, government functionaries have access to American $ without going to all the draconian steps regular Venezuelan have to, thus they get to travel with impunity and they get all the American $ they want at the official rate just to re-sell them at the black market ten times its original prices.
This just the tip of the iceberg, like a domino effect, the full repercussions of Chavez currency control policies are going to sink the Venezuelan economy even more, expect more companies leaving, more food shortages, etc.

 

[Fyrion]

The currency problem is not current, it was a time-bomb waiting to happen since Chavez implemented the draconian currency control more than 10 years ago, what you have now it's the "currency control bubble" exploding in their faces, Airliners living because the government owes them millions of dollars, transnational companies leaving to neighboring countries such as Colombia, because the Venezuelan Government made their day to day operations impossible thanks to the currency control, this "bubble" was implemented to fool the economy into thinking that the Venezuelan currency was more stable and to prevent foreign currency to leave the country.
Now you have this, corruption in the government is incredible high, government functionaries have access to American $ without going to all the draconian steps regular Venezuelan have to, thus they get to travel with impunity and they get all the American $ they want at the official rate just to re-sell them at the black market ten times its original prices.
This just the tip of the iceberg, like a domino effect, the full repercussions of Chavez currency control policies are going to sink the Venezuelan economy even more, expect more companies leaving, more food shortages, etc.

Very well explained. That indeed are the reasons why Venezuela's economy is sinking.

 

[forknknife]

Hi guys. I've been trying to try to understand what's going on over there these past two days. What do you guys think of this interview? I'd really like to know.

http://m.democracynow.org/stories/14212

 

[enanogrande]

Hi guys. I've been trying to try to understand what's going on over there these past two days. What do you guys think of this interview? I'd really like to know.

http://m.democracynow.org/stories/14212

Propaganda.

 

[forknknife]

Propaganda.

Care to point out why?

 

[enanogrande]

Care to point out why?

Sorry, can't right now. I'll be back later - though by that time you'll probably get other responses. It's pretty by-the-books government spiel though; the problems in the country aren't our fault, the private bourgeois capitalists are hoarding foodstuffs and manipulating the market (HA! Esa esta buena compadre), the protesters are confined to the 'Beverly Hills of Caracas'... this interviewee is eating up all of the governments propaganda in spoonfuls.

(The part about the 'millions of Venezuelans building a better democracy' and Insecurity going down are quite rich as well.)

 

[mantidor]

Care to point out why?

Because crime is actually going down, as we speak, and because food scarcity is not nearly as bad as it was earlier in the year.

This is completely false by accounts of anyone except the government.



The moment you know this is propaganda for left-leaning foreigners is when they type this absolute nonsense.

But, you know, in the meantime, the Venezuelan revolutionary movements, the popular organizations, that are, after all, the foundation of this government, this is never—this was never about Chávez, the individual. It is not about Maduro, the individual today. But it’s instead about millions and millions of Venezuelans who are building a better democracy,

This almost made me laugh, the image of Chavez is pushed in constantly, giant posters of him, constant presentations on TV of him and Maduro, lots of comparisons to Bolivar, it's an absolute cult of personality. Hell, even Maduro's initial speeches were about Chavez appearing to him in the form of a bird. The whole thing is almost fascist in a way, which make their "facist" accusations to the opposition even more hilarious and ridiculous.


What made the protests spark was actually a rape attempt on a girl in the Tachira state, crime is only going up, severely underreported and with almost total impunity, specially if you are part of the government militias. This are armed civilians, yes, the government actually armed civilians, basically creating a paramilitary army, and then they go on accusing the opposition as "paramilitary backed", (this is a reference to Colombia's paramilitaries btw), the whole thing is even more ironic.

 

[TomServo]

The bit that struck me as propaganda was the characterization of consumer goods shortages as being created by "private capitalists withholding and hoarding goods" which he then runs directly into "currency speculation."

Again, Venezuela depends on imports of food and consumer goods. Those imports are paid for in dollars, and forex has been under government capital controls in order to mask the true state of their economy from the public.

If you're a business owner, you've recently been subjected to price controls at the barrel of a gun. You can't get enough dollars through official forex channels to import goods and keep your shelves stocked. Your options are to get dollars through currency black markets at rates which will guarantee a loss when you sell your goods or keep empty shelves.

Any article that comments on the state of the Venezuelan economy but doesn't acknowledge the reality of Venezualan capital controls and their effects on an import-dependent economy should be taken with a massive grain of salt, if not dismissed outright.

 

[JDSN]

APC taunting and shooting protesters, during sunday.

 

[Fyrion]

More videos and images:

(1)

(2)

Militias and GNB together

Looting (4)

Looting (5)

Looting and Stealing

Today several people from Maracay city reported Looting and stealing actions commited by "Tupamaros", a dangerous militia group disguised as political party composed by Chávez's worshippers. They are responsible for some students's deaths since the first week of protests across Venezuela. They usually ride bikes and execute people shooting directly to the head.

Tupamaros party work together with De Facto Government. As usual, the government deny that publicly, but there are several evidence that proves Tupamaros colaborate with them. Yesterday, Maduro tried to clean their reputation during a meeting with "motorbikers" in Miraflores to talk about truce and peace.

In Short, Tupamaros are dangerous criminals protected by the government.

 

[enanogrande]

This almost made me laugh, the image of Chavez is pushed in constantly, giant posters of him, constant presentations on TV of him and Maduro, lots of comparisons to Bolivar, it's an absolute cult of personality. Hell, even Maduro's initial speeches were about Chavez appearing to him in the form of a bird. The whole thing is almost fascist in a way, which make their "facist" accusations to the opposition even more hilarious and ridiculous.

Not even just his initial speeches, EVERY speech of his mentions Chavez constantly. The thought that this is anything but a cult of personality - when not only is the whole movement named after his stead, but his image is plastered over any public office you enter (even today, after death!) and in T-Shirts and hats is quite laughable. I truly hope that Interviewee was paid off for that interview because otherwise he is ignorant to a point I believed few people to be capable of.

On another note, Marco Rubio had a good speech the other day in Congress. I've never been a fan of the guy (I've always been more Democrat than Republican, and in recent years with the rise of the Tea Party and other things that's turned into an active repudiation of the party as a whole.. BU-BU-BUT CHAVEZ WAS SOCIALIST! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ON HIS SIDE!). It's not going to convince anyone who is still blind enough to be wrapped up in the government's propaganda, but it paints a pretty accurate picture of what's been going on here for the past 15 years.

 

[Guileless]

Even in Western countries with functioning opposition parties, free press, and rule of law, extended rule by one party inevitably leads to corruption. That's in death and taxes territory.

 

[Guileless]

I truly hope that Interviewee was paid off for that interview because otherwise he is ignorant to a point I believed few people to be capable of.

Years ago that type had to rationalize the Berlin Wall. That was a bigger challenge, but they were up to it.

 

[Fyrion]

An Analysis from "El país" Internacional (Spanish).

¿Qué está en juego en Venezuela?

Autor: Moíses Naím..

 

[alstein]

Why don't you provide some additional information about what you are talking about so I can meaningfully consider it?



What does the Ukraine have to do with Venezuela? Venezuela has always been a "shithole" (your words). It's a developing country. Prior to the USP gaining power, half of Venezuela's population lived in abject poverty. That condition has been substantially improved thanks to the UPS's sustained efforts directed towards Venezuela's poor. You may not care about poor people who don't speak English and don't have an internet presence (many of whom until recently were totally illiterate), but I do.

Also, look at how the USP has destroyed Venezuela: http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs...ocial-performance-under-hugo-chavez-in-graphs

A government can do good things while deserving to be thrown out of office for its bad things. This government deserves to be thrown out, but I worry that the opposition would be just as bad- leading to a Thailand Red Shirts/Yellow Shirts problem.

 

[empty vessel]

A government can do good things while deserving to be thrown out of office for its bad things. This government deserves to be thrown out, but I worry that the opposition would be just as bad- leading to a Thailand Red Shirts/Yellow Shirts problem.

I'm not sure what you mean by "thrown out." If you mean that the government should lose an election or recall election, then while I disagree that they should lose, that's certainly a fine opinion for an individual to have. If you mean that it should be toppled forcefully by a political opposition that lost the previous election, then that's a whole other discussion.

Venezuela has long had currency problems; they predate the USP coming to power there. These aren't exactly new. While it's not something I have studied in depth with respect to Venezuela, I suspect that the USP probably hasn't handled these issues as well as it should have. Of course, the same can be said for prior Venezuelan governments. And the political crisis there caused by a well-funded, vociferous, and at times violent opposition that has no intention of letting the government undermine elite Venezuelan's economic rule of the country (prior coup attempt, capital strikes, etc.) as it has been elected by Venezuelans to do only exacerbates whatever missteps the government may have taken. Still, the problem is not intractable and I expect and hope the USP resolves them satisfactorily.

 

[Karkador]

I'm not sure what you mean by "thrown out." If you mean that the government should lose an election or recall election, then while I disagree that they should lose, that's certainly a fine opinion for an individual to have. If you mean that it should be toppled forcefully by a political opposition that lost the previous election, then that's a whole other discussion.

I don't know how to adequately state my feelings about this situation in Venezuela, especially against a very well-spoken poster like you, who I tend to agree with in many political threads. I also don't think I can say too much without living there or knowing the entire story being told in videos. So know that I am saying this with some reluctance.

But I'll try to put it in feelings. My feeling is that a government, whether put in place by a democratic election or not, is not acting properly if they are driving around in armored vehicles and shooting at citizens who don't agree with them.

Part of the democratic process is freedom of speech/expression, and if the government truly has a rightful place in power, if they truly value democracy, and if their ideas are truly as sound as their votes reflect, they shouldn't have to resort to violent counteraction and intimidation to deal with these problems.

In America, the spirit of freedom of speech was enshrined for the purpose of ALL ideas being able to be heard and debated, to let the bad ideas naturally sink to the bottom. This reaction by the government seems more indicative of a regime that is afraid of ideas rising to the top and toppling them. For that alone, I think they should not have that job anymore.

I really don't know if either the socialists or the capitalists have the best ideas for Venezuela, but it's entirely possible for a regime's good ideas to be outweighed by their bad ideas. People should be allowed to strive for the best government possible, not just what worked better than the last government.

 

[empty vessel]

But I'll try to put it in feelings. My feeling is that a government, whether put in place by a democratic election or not, is not acting properly if they are driving around in armored vehicles and shooting at citizens who don't agree with them.

I wouldn't disagree. But you cannot trust anything coming out of Venezuela from the traditional Western press. They merely amplify the Venezuelan opposition's propaganda, with whom Western elites are aligned against Venezuela's poor.

In America, the spirit of freedom of speech was enshrined for the purpose of ALL ideas being able to be heard and debated, to let the bad ideas naturally sink to the bottom. This reaction by the government seems more indicative of a regime that is afraid of ideas rising to the top and toppling them. For that alone, I think they should not have that job anymore.

In America, the Occupy movement was violently repressed, with the assistance of the Obama administration.

II really don't know if either the socialists or the capitalists have the best ideas for Venezuela, but it's entirely possible for a regime's good ideas to be outweighed by their bad ideas. People should be allowed to strive for the best government possible, not just what worked better than the last government.

I don't disagree. I think my difference of opinion with a lot of people on Venezuela is a difference of opinion about what the facts are about what is happening there. I don't readily accept the propaganda coming from elite Venezuelans (and amplified by the Western press) whose parents used to rule the country in a manner that plunged half of it into abject poverty.

 

[feel]

More videos and images:

(1)

(2)

Militias and GNB together

Looting (4)

Looting (5)

Looting and Stealing

Today several people from Maracay city reported Looting and stealing actions commited by "Tupamaros", a dangerous militia group disguised as political party composed by Chávez's worshippers. They are responsible for some students's deaths since the first week of protests across Venezuela. They usually ride bikes and execute people shooting directly to the head.

Tupamaros party work together with De Facto Government. As usual, the government deny that publicly, but there are several evidence that proves Tupamaros colaborate with them. Yesterday, Maduro tried to clean their reputation during a meeting with "motorbikers" in Miraflores to talk about truce and peace.

In Short, Tupamaros are dangerous criminals protected by the government.

Thanks. A friends' panaderia in Maracay got looted and then set ablaze by the tupamaros overnight, who then shot at anyone who tried to aproach to stop the fire. They're devastated to say the least.

 

[Fyrion]

Thanks. A friends' panaderia in Maracay got looted and then set ablaze by the tupamaros overnight, who then shot at anyone who tried to aproach to stop the fire. They're devastated to say the least.

How shameful and infuriating, F*cking looters. The government and its minions ransacked Venezuela.

 

[enanogrande]

I don't disagree. I think my difference of opinion with a lot of people on Venezuela is a difference of opinion about what the facts are about what is happening there. I don't readily accept the propaganda coming from elite Venezuelans (and amplified by the Western press) whose parents used to rule the country in a manner that plunged half of it into abject poverty.

You have no clue how ridiculous you sound to those of us living here. Not that I post this for your benefit - it's quite obvious I'm just an 'Elite Venezuelan' to you, so any words coming from me are right-wing pro-US propaganda. But others seem to respect your views around here, so I can't in good conscience let such nonsense go by without a mention.

Hopefully you get your own Chavez sometime in your country, I'm sure you'll enjoy the unfiltered access to the "21st Century Socialist" experience, uncensored by evil propaganda.

 

[Reneledarker]

This article of the Jacobin magazine is pretty interesting if you want to know more about the current situation in Venezuela and want a more balanced opinion:

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/02/is-venezuela-burning/

 

[Karkador]

I wouldn't disagree. But you cannot trust anything coming out of Venezuela from the traditional Western press. They merely amplify the Venezuelan opposition's propaganda, with whom Western elites are aligned against Venezuela's poor.

I've mostly formed my opinion on this from Venezuelans I know (who are not "elites"), the words of people on forums like this, and the videos online. Not saying it's a comprehensive picture of the situation, but maybe better than the Western press's account, at least?

In America, the Occupy movement was violently repressed, with the assistance of the Obama administration.

Not to dismiss anything about Occupy, but If Obama and co. had used the tactics being deployed in Venezuela, it would be a much different story. If Obama had called for a civil war if he was ousted, we would be in some very crazy political times here. Though I will agree that there will be parties interested in silencing and repressing others, anywhere (even the US) and by various means, I feel like it's hardly even possible to compare the two, and I don't think we can consider the Venezuelan democracy to be as open and balanced as the American democracy, not with leaders as militant as that.

I don't disagree. I think my difference of opinion with a lot of people on Venezuela is a difference of opinion about what the facts are about what is happening there. I don't readily accept the propaganda coming from elite Venezuelans (and amplified by the Western press) whose parents used to rule the country in a manner that plunged half of it into abject poverty.

Is it possible to look at the situation as something more granular than "rich" vs "poor"? Personally, I don't feel that "rich elites" would be risking their lives in the streets like that, and many Venezuelans have been saying as much.

 

[alstein]

Huge difference between what happened to the Occupy movement ,which was bad, and what happens in Venezuela, which is much much worse.

 

[tafer]

This article of the Jacobin magazine is pretty interesting if you want to know more about the current situation in Venezuela and want a more balanced opinion:

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/02/is-venezuela-burning/

Thanks for posting this, this only supports what I have been reading about this subject.

 

[FerDS]

I hereby formally call for a title change. I propose this new one:

Mass riot in Venezuela: 8 dead, hundreds injured, oposition leader unlawfully imprisoned.

There's been 15 reported deaths so far

Also, today there was a "debate for peace" in the presidential palace. It seemed like a good first step, let's see if it leads anywhere. (Which I doubt, hopefully I'm wrong)

PD: in the last presidential election the results where 50% against 49%; the time to be saying that "Venezuelan elite" are the ones that disagree with the government is well over. But I suppose that's when they say that we've been manipulated by the USA/media/etc because obviously the only people that think for themselves are pro government ...

 

[MisterFalcon]

This article of the Jacobin magazine is pretty interesting if you want to know more about the current situation in Venezuela and want a more balanced opinion:

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/02/is-venezuela-burning/

Nothing wrong with Venezuela except the class enemies have not been taken care of.

What can save the Bolivarian project, and the hope it inspired in so many, is for the speculators and bureaucrats to be removed

Removed, such a nice word. Much better then 'eliminated'.

 

[enanogrande]

So, the Supreme Court can now name, at discretion, Judges on a case-by-case basis, going against both the constitution and basic legal principle. I guess that's cool. Bastions of democracy, the lot of 'em.

 

[Fyrion]

An infographic of last events since February 12:

(Español)

 

[mantidor]

This article of the Jacobin magazine is pretty interesting if you want to know more about the current situation in Venezuela and want a more balanced opinion:

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/02/is-venezuela-burning/

pfft bullshit.

Only a deepening of the Bolivarian Revolution can save it.

OMG NO!


The article tries to paint a picture that doesn't exist, Maduro won the elections by a really stretch margin, so stretch the opposition called for fraud. if we are to believe this is really a "class" issue we would have to believe that Venezuela is really half rich people and half poor people which is nothing but absurd.

edit: and calling the opposition "violent" when the ones with the guns are the government is almost insulting to the lives lost in this whole thing.

 

[Fyrion]

pfft bullshit.

Yep. That artitcle is a mere more-of-the-same fallacy.

OMG NO!

Well. The only thing that will save a "deepening" of the Bolivarian revolution is Fidel Castro and his venezuelan minions everlasting tiranny.

The article tries to paint a picture that doesn't exist, Maduro won the elections by a really stretch margin, so stretch the opposition called for fraud. if we are to believe this is really a "class" issue we would have to believe that Venezuela is really half rich people and half poor people which is nothing but absurd.

edit: and calling the opposition "violent" when the ones with the guns are the government is almost insulting to the lives lost in this whole thing.

I'm starting to think all Pro-Chávez/Maduro/Fidel propaganda writers have a colective mind, because it's almost amusing all of them write the same bullshit over and over again. It's always the same uncreative formula: Praising the "Revolution" and all its doubfull goals-> Praise to the current revolution leader poor people's savior-> mild-condescending critique -> demonizing opposition linking them to rich oligarchy and neoliberalism-> crackpot conspiracies (example.- students belong to a neonazi political party, paramilitary foreigners invading the country sent by Obama/Alvaro Uribe/ Reptilians/Illuminati etc.).

 

[FerDS]

41 people where arrested today again in Altamira, apparently most of them are between 18 and 21 years old. There's been a total of 1041 (without counting these last) arrests since February 12. Also a national guard was killed and another was injured with a gun in Valencia yesterday, I think

Oh, and the government declared holidays(? Not sure if this is the right word) since yesterday and until tuesday, because, why not?

 

[Fyrion]

Another Venezuela crisis's overview video, this time in english.

 

[Tom_Cody]

A good concise summary of the situation for outsiders:

http://www.spiegel.de/international...-economic-distress-and-protests-a-955820.html

I am one of said outsiders so I apologize if this omits anything.

 

[FerDS]

This place is messed up: http://youtu.be/FhfPQJYqmzw




Seriously, I don't know what to think anymore, I know it seems selfish or cowardly; but at this point, I just want to run away to some other place

 

[Salsa]

Im 'dating' a girl who lives in Caracas (that's why dating is in air quotes, we're trying to make it work and I plan on moving there for a little while soon since the ocassional travel isnt enough) and shit is rough, man. I get updates on it daily and sometimes we're just talking through Skype and you'll hear gunfire outside and the likes.

She works at a studio and hasnt been there since this whole thing started. Everything is pretty much stalled.

Hope the situation changes soon. Plan to travel there next July.

 

[FerDS]

Im 'dating' a girl who lives in venezuela (that's why dating is in air quotes, we're trying to make it work and I plan on moving there for a little while soon) and shit is rough, man. I get updates on it daily and sometimes we're just talking through Skype and you'll hear gunfire outside and the likes.

She works at a studio and hasnt been there since this whole thing started. Everything is pretty much stalled.

Hope the situation changes relatively soon. Plan to travel there next July.

Where do you live? Is there a chance she'll go there instead of you coming?

That's actually strange, a big part of "regular life" just goes on normally, at least in Caracas, it's one of the things I find so frustrating... It's like, how can you just go to work with everything that's going on?


PS: I imagine that by July things should be either in complete chaos or just back to normal :/

@Tom_Cody: that article is extremely one sided

 

[Salsa]

Where do you live? Is there a chance she'll go there instead of you coming?

That's actually strange, a big part of "regular life" just goes on normally, at least in Caracas, it's one of the things I find so frustrating... It's like, how can you just go to work with everything that's going on?

I live in Uruguay, she's been here already but she has shared custody of a son (she's 30 im 24), so coming here for a proper amount of time isnt on any immediate plan. I have no strings attached so I was actually looking forward to a change of air.

when the whole thing started she was kinda like that, in a "I hate how this is gonna be over in a couple days and people are just gonna go back to act like nothing happened" but she's had it pretty rough lately. Last weekend she had a gathering at a friend's house and they literally couldnt leave for 2 days because of all the shit going on right outside.

 

[FerDS]

I live in Uruguay, she's been here already but she has shared custody of a son (she's 30 im 24), so coming here for a proper amount of time isnt on any immediate plan. I have no strings attached so I was actually looking forward to a change of air.

when the whole thing started she was kinda like that, in a "I hate how this is gonna be over in a couple days and people are just gonna go back to act like nothing happened" but she's had it pretty rough lately. Last weekend she had a gathering at a friend's house and they literally couldnt leave for 2 days because of all the shit going on right outside.

What city is she living in? My family has been going to work relatively normally (my mother is a teacher and she has been coming home early because kids aren't going to school, though)

 

[Ether_Snake]

Why are most countries ignoring the situation? When Chavez was in power there was much more attention paid to much less than this.

 

[Salsa]

What city is she living in? My family has been going to work relatively normally (my mother is a teacher and she has been coming home early because kids aren't going to school, though)

caracas! edited above. it must depend on location a lot, I guess, but she's not working at the moment and a lot of people who work at the studio are either not going or working from home

Why are most countries ignoring the situation? When Chavez was in power there was much more attention paid to much less than this.

yeah, it's weird. that whole jared leto thing was kinda ridiculous but im sure it made a few people google the situation, so that's good.

if it wasnt for russia/ukraine I bet the US would be paying more attention. The worry here is that US help is never free, less so when we're talking about a country with so much oil.

I hope venezuela resolves it on it's own.

 

[FerDS]

Why are most countries ignoring the situation? When Chavez was in power there was much more attention paid to much less than this.

Some latin american countries are ignoring it because a change of government is not gong to be good for them. Others aren't, Panama, for example called a meeting in OEA about the situation. And Venezuela's response was to terminated all relationships with that country today... The US has also been very vocal, and the EU parliament released a very strong statement, among others. On the other hand, countries like Russia and Cuba offer nothing but support to the Government

 

[remnant]

May I ask where you live and what you do for aliving? I'll start and tell you a bit about myself. I am a professor I have quite a lot of merits and my wage is Bs. 6500, Dolar is worth Bs. 88 (don't give me that crap it is worth Bs. 6,30) so I make $74 a month. can you tell me, Mr. Venezuelan-who-lives-in-another-country yet defends this SHITHOLE, would you be able to live well, pay utilities, buy food/clothes, pay for transportation and pay for your own house or pay rent and feed your family for that amount of money?

this is off-topic but how exactly is poverty measured in Venezuela? I always hear that the poverty rate plummeted in venezuela, and then I hear conflicting stories about people with businesses or middle class skills making what seems to be poverty wages at the same time.

 

[Salsa]

Issues in Venezuela seem to go beyond poverty, or the sort of notions that other countries would immediatly think of when the term "crisis" pops up.

one of the biggest issues there atm is basically a lack of goods. there's always 'something' that runs out (butter, sugar, etc) and when it shows up people will go and buy it in bunks and sell it on a sort of black market for crazy amounts. It's fucked.