When writing about Venezuela, one has to juggle with an embarassment of riches – there is so much crap going on, that sometimes it’s hard to select the right story that brings to life the collapsing Venezuelan economy. I think this one does an excellent job. Fusion’s Manuel Rueda went to Mérida to talk to students at the…
Dear colleague, This is an uncomfortable letter to write. In the past few weeks we have come to the stark realization that our government is bankrupt. Not just morally bankrupt, we knew that, but pelando cable bankrupt – so bankrupt that the debate on economic policy right now is on whether the fiscal deficit is closer to…
A tragedy occurred a few days ago in Barinas. Six children died in a fire. The fire was triggered by a short circuit after a service interruption. Typically, after a service interruption voltage surges, which in turn can cause cable insulation to melt and short circuit. One must ask then, did we do a disservice to provide…
Over at Foreign Policy’s Transitions blog, I try and explain just why Venezuelan parents are incensed. The value added: In order to “promote participatory democracy,” the resolution states that all decisions in every school — public or private — must involve parents, teachers, students, workers, and even “the community,” represented by “communal councils.” Including communal councils in…
On Thursday, March 27th, in Costa Rica, the girls from the Vinotinto U-17 made history. The faced Canada, a formidable foe, in the World Cup U-17 in the quarter finals. They won and got a shot at the semifinals. They lost, and ended in fourth place overall. Coach Kenneth Zseremeta scouted Venezuela with a fine tooth…
A few days ago, Maduro was having a down in the dumps day, he needed a quick pick me up, something empowering, something to assert his manhood. So, he did what any self respecting male would do, he made a rape joke, gorillas included. Yes, a rape joke on Cadena Nacional. In our little machista…
These tumultuous days, as I was glued to Twitter, reading Facebook comments, listening to opinions on the street, and watching the students debate on CNNE, I finally “understood” Venezuela’s deep polarization. After 15 years of war speech, we have become two distinct countries, two societies that haven’t been able to reconcile in more than a…
Youth Minister Héctor Rodríguez recently admitted in an interview that there’s at least one million young Venezuelans who’re neither studying or working right now. Congratulations, you just found out what a NEET is. The more you know… The problem of youth unemployment in Venezuela was already recognized by both the National Statistics Institute (INE) and…
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As the Hugo Chávez era comes to a close in Venezuela, it is time to begin taking stock of his legacy. One of the oft-repeated lines is that Chávez was “good for the poor.” Certainly, poverty statistics – as measured by the percentage of the population living below a certain income threshhold – have improved…
On the heels of a massive landslide, what does the ruling majority want? Well, none other than do away with private education as we know it. The government published a decree apparently abolishing Parent Associations at all schools – public and private. It replaces them with an Educational Council, made up of administrators, teachers, parents,…
Over at Foreign Policy’s Transitions blog, I talk about the issue nobody wants to discuss. Because we’re all too busy obsessing about grainy videos and envelopes full of cash.
Chávez’s latest issue ad looks like it’s trying to sell you shoes or sportwear more than like an election spot, so its obviously targeted at the young crowd. It has great production values and a good concept behind it, even if feels a little bit underdeveloped. The pitch is “Chavez ended illiteracy, made it possible…
Innovation. A very particular word that is now a big part of our daily lives. People usually relate it to scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs, but now it affects most, if not everything we do: how we comunicate, how we learn, what we eat, the way of moving from one place to another. Innovation is…
CNN en Español has an interview with L. Rafael Reif, the Venezuelan recently elected President of the MIT. Video in this link.
Caracas Chronicles 