chavezmanoalzada2.jpgHugo Chavez’s flight forward is unprecedented in Venezuela’s history, states the author. Meanwhile, the social disorganization, the failure of the educational system, underemployment, shortages of supplies, uncontrollable inflation, police and judicial administrative inefficiency, steady poverty and political polarization (stronger than ever) completely discredit a revolution that announced better times for Venezuela, but has ended up being a true fiasco.

 

(From Caracas) DUE TO THE DIFFICULT SITUATION SPREAD throughout the country, which suffers from a chronic shortage of supplies and uncontrollable hyperinflation, the president of Venezuela, the unpredictable Hugo Chavez, has announced that he will not be afraid to expropriate small and big businesses upon the smallest indication or suspicion of hoarding. “If Chavez does not rig the elections, the expectations of the opposition are high” Also, in a message loaded with symbolism (he appeared dressed in his military uniform and displayed a threatening attitude), he celebrated the 16th anniversary of the coup d’état that he himself led against the pained Venezuelan democracy, scorned his Colombian neighbors by again recognizing the supposed legitimacy of the terrorist organization FARC, and sent unmistakable messages to the opposition that he would not hesitate to use force in order to impose his political opinions.

There was neither recognition of his defeat in the referendum, which was a shitty victory in his mind, nor tacit acceptance of the rules of the democratic game. Chavez’s flight forward is unprecedented in this country’s recent history.

THE DEPRESSING NUMBERS

Nevertheless, that much masquerading and even boasting of ideological superiority opposed to his adversaries cannot disguise the harsh reality: “Caracas is, along with Brazil’s Recife, the city with the highest homicide rate in the whole continent, with 107 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants” inflation rose 22 percent last year and in the last four years Venezuelan currency has lost nearly 60 percent of its value. Furthermore, there is a shortage of basic necessities throughout the whole country, above all of milk, sugar, eggs, red meat and chicken. The shortage rate, according to the firm Datanálisis, hovered between 20 and 25 percent in 2007, and in January of this year it is already situated between 30 and 35 percent, although the forecast is for things to continue to get worse. And finally, the unemployment level has stalled at 10 percent, although there are many observers who point out that the true level could be greater and that underemployment could reach 25 percent (figures from the agency AFP).

We must add the political and social conflicts to this already complex scene of acute problems. The country is more bipolarized than ever, disappointment is beginning to reach the Bolivarian circles—which are rife with corruption and unaffected by the necessary reforms—and the democratic opposition is beginning to show signs that it is more mature and possesses a more articulate and structured discourse; it is presenting itself as a real alternative to Chavism, and is generating confidence in the international society, which is something that Chavez is not achieving. And besides, the democratic opposition was already able to defeat Chavism in the last referendum, and it is warming up its engines for the next elections. If Chavez does not rig the elections, the expectations are high.

TOO MUCH VIOLENCE

“Chavez has forged alliances with the most unpopular, totalitarian and isolated countries in international society: Cuba, Belarus, Iran and Syria” And what to say about the social situation? Authentic chaos that cannot be covered up or hidden in any way. Fifty thousand Venezuelans lost their lives during the last five-year period, and another 10,000 die every year. Caracas is, along with Brazil’s Recife, the city with the highest homicide rate in the whole continent, with 107 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. The homicide rate is over 67 per 100,000 inhabitants in every Venezuelan city, with the most dangerous ones being Táchira and Mérida. Venezuela is six times more violent than the United States and much more violent than its neighbor, Colombia.

Aside from all of these harsh figures, Chavez’s government holds the dubious record of being in power during the most violent year in history: 12,257 homicides in 2006. Almost all of the analysts consider the social disorganization, the failure of a non-functional educational system, underemployment and the terrible functioning of the administration services (above all, those of the police and the judiciary) to be the main causes of this lamentable state of things.

The most atrocious impunity must be added to the realm of crime: the State is incapable of guaranteeing the safety of Venezuelans.

MAKING FRIENDS AND BREAKING FRIENDSHIPS

“Almost of the world’s leaders are sick of Chavez’s challenges and threats” To finish, and add more uncertainty (if there is room for it) surrounding the nation’s situation, Chavez’s Venezuela has forged alliances and agreements with the most unpopular, totalitarian and isolated countries in international society: Cuba, Belarus, Iran and Syria. It has made enemies of Colombia and Peru, and has angered others by offending and insulting the United States, Spain, Israel, Mexico, Chile and Peru. It insults the Jews and meets with the Iranian President, who hangs homosexuals and shows off to half of the world by trivializing the Holocaust.

Almost of the world’s leaders are sick of Chavez’s challenges and threats. He supports international terrorism, as he has recognized FARC and the ELN as valid negotiators—something that not even Castro has done—and has allowed Hamas’ terrorists to open up an office in Caracas.

Was so much discredit of a revolution that announced better times for Venezuela and ended up being a fiasco necessary? When will this Caribbean operetta of awful taste end, and Venezuela head towards a modern democracy and a Welfare State?