It’s been eight years since I translated the passages below from the classic (if too-little-read) book by Merideño philosopher/poet J.M. Briceño Guerrero, but I still sporadically go back to them for inspiration. The essays were written over 30 years ago now but, somehow, they only seem to gain in relevance with time. I realize many…
Juan’s latest is as good an excuse as any to repost my partial translation of J.M. Briceño Guerrero’s 1979 screed El Discurso Salvaje. It’s not an easy read, and certainly not for everybody. But it’s essential. If you put in the time and attention it takes to wrap your mind around it, this is a text…
I’ve been trying to get more information on what’s going on inside the opposition camps, and here is what I have found out. Take all of this with the proverbial grain of salt. The Capriles campaign does not really see Maria Corina Machado as a viable Vice-Presidential pick. For one thing, if Capriles is the…
I’m here. Quico is here. We’ll see you Monday!
The quote is from everyone’s favorite cantankerous physician, Dr. House. I thought about it today when reading that, in the next few days, Hugo Chávez will return to Cuba for his third round of chemotherapy. Chávez has told us he is “cancer-free.” He claims his cancer “did not metasthasize.” Just last Friday, he said all…
Was on Al Jazeera last night. Great fun!
The Daily Caller’s Jaime Weinstein ponders this question. Putting aside the fact that the article is mostly speculation on the part of Roger Noriega, this is the first story I’ve seen in the international media discussing the topic. Because, let’s be real here – more than two weeks to recover? Nothing to worry about? Sha,…
A wonky post for a change: not surprisingly, it turns out that when you want to give people money to stimulate the economy, the way you give them the funds matters a great deal! If you think about it, our current fiscal policy, whereas people get a variety of subsidies – gasoline subsidy, Misión Cadivi,…
After complications from what we were told was a massive embolysm, Comptroller General Clodosbaldo Russián passed away in Havana last night. The man who unilaterally barred hundreds of opposition politicians from public office while looking the other way as massive chavista corruption scandals erupted in succession is no more. Sad, I know. May he rest…
I don’t like to talk about myself on the blog, but I will break the rule to give you an update on where things are headed, and where I am headed. I’ve recently completed a move back to Chile with my family. After three years living in the US, working hard for my money, and…
The logic in Gustavo Linares’ op-ed, published in today’s El Universal, is impeccable. The Constitution clearly states that Caracas is the seat of government, but that public power can be exercised in other parts of the country. Not Cuba, mind you, but our country. The reasoning is simple. A President, when abroad, is at the…
The World Justice Project just came out with its Rule of Law 2011 Index (download the entire report here). As you can imagine, we’re doin’ hunky-dory. The money quote: “Venezuela ranks relatively well in terms of religious freedom (ranking 15th), accessibility of the civil courts (ranking 21st), and protection of labor rights (ranking 27th). However, it…
Hugo Chávez dixit, in 2010: HT: VVperiodistas.
I cracked up when reading this little tidbit about Venezuela’s Military “Intelligence” raiding the offices of the State-run steel-maker Sidor. I guess when you’ve eliminated all meaningful private property in a country, when the only people remaining that actually make something … are controlled by the State – well, you end up persecuting your own.…
Caracas Chronicles 