Barquisimeto’s main newspaper El Impulso has announced that starting May 12th the paper will reduce its daily edition to only 8 pages. In an editorial, the paper explains the reason behind this drastic decision, putting the blame on one culprit: The Alfredo Maneiro Editorial Complex (CEAM), the State-owned provider of newsprint in the nation. The creation…
Our friend Daniel Lansberg-Rodríguez took the issue of Maduro’s stunt double in Panama, and ran with it – all the way to the end zone. He weaves a masterful put-down over at Foreign Policy’s Transitions blog. The whole piece is well worth your time, but here is the highlight for me: The act of picking out one’s own…
At first I had no idea what this drill was about. Fake doctors? Fake blood? Sound effects? People running aimlessly? Why, there was even a kid dressed up as Simón Bolívar, with sword and everything. Did he dress like that specially for the fake bombing raid, or is that his usual attire? What is this…
Inflation is at almost 70% per year. The multiple exchange rate system is wreaking havoc with Venezuelans’ daily lives. The Central Bank is printing money like crazy to finance an out of control budget deficit. But don’t despair. The Central Bank is focusing on solving all of these problems.
If you follow football closely, you might know that every January is winter-transfer market time. In Venezuela, it wasn’t so different. Yeah, the players involved are not as exciting as those in the Premier League, the Bundesliga or even the MLS, but that’s the deal we’re stuck with. But days after the market closed, the…
This week the International Tourism Fair (Fitur) began in Madrid. The event is one of the most important of its kind in the world. It doesn’t compare at all with our own particular version of Fitur, but that’s another story… More than 160 countries are there to promote themselves to potential investors and customers, and Venezuela…
On Tuesday January 6th, we had yet another case of “I can’t believe he tweeted that”. Here’s what happened… The news that McDonald’s might stop selling its famous fries in Venezuela has been circling around for a couple of days now. The company claims a labor dispute in West Coast ports is slowing down exports. McDonald’s Japan actually…
First came the man. Then came his famous signature. A little over a month ago came his own typeface. And who can forget the “get a tattoo of the Eternal President’s face and signature for free. Yes, free!“…? But now, it seems that the love and admiration for this man has reached a new height. Hugo Chávez…
I could begin this post by saying how insulting the appointment of María Gabriela Chávez as the Alternate Ambassador to the U.N is. I could say this is a slap in the face to all the International Studies students and professionals, how this is further evidence of the ways this government belittles higher learning, how people are chosen not by…
What is an appropriate gift to bring to a birthday party in which the honoree is dead? Why, tons of fireworks, a cake, live music, national TV, and the resurrection of Sabado Sensacional, apparently. Leave your sense of shame, and your pitch, at the door.
First came the man. Then came his famous signature. You can put it on your nightstand for just BsF 850. You can use it to watch over your house keys. You can wear it on your wrist, or near your heart. You can even have it tattooed onto any part of your body. Buildings bear his mark.…
Few things surprise me about Venezuela anymore. This is one of those things. As it turns out, we not only import gasoline, we also import homeless families. I mean, my heart goes out to them, but this lady needs some help. (HT: Joe)
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