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Venezuela protests: the other side of the story Venezuela protests: the other side of the story
(4 days later)
LastLast
week, we published a readers’ panel on the Venezuelan protests, sourced week, we published a readers’ panel on the Venezuelan protests, sourced
via GuardianWitness and Guardian comments sections. We sought to hear via GuardianWitness and Guardian comments sections. We sought to hear
from those who were taking part in the protests, and those who supported from those who were taking part in the protests, and those who supported
them. We received many responses.them. We received many responses.
AtAt
the same time, a social media campaign was taking off, using the same time, a social media campaign was taking off, using
#SOSVenezuela on Twitter and Facebook in particular, to highlight the #SOSVenezuela on Twitter and Facebook in particular, to highlight the
situation in the country.situation in the country.
We’veWe’ve
also been keen to hear the other side of the story, away from the also been keen to hear the other side of the story, away from the
social media narrative that can be dominated by people sympathetic to social media narrative that can be dominated by people sympathetic to
the opposition and by those with the media and language skills tothe opposition and by those with the media and language skills to
get their message out. On Monday, the Guardian published a letter signed by a range of figures get their message out. On Monday, the Guardian published a letter signed by a range of figures
including former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and the filmmaker John including former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and the filmmaker John
Pilger denouncing the violence, and pointing to the links between Pilger denouncing the violence, and pointing to the links between
prominent opposition leaders and the attempted coup of 2002.prominent opposition leaders and the attempted coup of 2002.
BelowBelow
are a selection of accounts from those in Venezuela who did not are a selection of accounts from those in Venezuela who did not
protest, with their own takes on the current situation in Venezuela. protest, with their own takes on the current situation in the country.
“Under Chávez’s government we improved as a society”“Under Chávez’s government we improved as a society”
WeWe
would like the opposition to accept that Nicolás Maduro won in fair would like the opposition to accept that Nicolás Maduro won in fair
elections in April last year. We would also like the opposition leaders elections in April last year. We would also like the opposition leaders
to call the youth and anyone involved in violent actions to stop, they to call the youth and anyone involved in violent actions to stop, they
also have to call out any night time demos, since increases the chances also have to call out any night time demos, since increases the chances
of criminal actions and make people fearful.of criminal actions and make people fearful.
PeoplePeople
of the humbler social classes are not protesting because they have of the humbler social classes are not protesting because they have
jobs, their children get schooling and a general access to healthcare, jobs, their children get schooling and a general access to healthcare,
also public transport has remained cheap thanks to the precise also public transport has remained cheap thanks to the precise
intervention of the State authorities. One must remember that the intervention of the State authorities. One must remember that the
increase in bus fares was the final detonator for social unrest on increase in bus fares was the final detonator for social unrest on
Monday 27 February 1989.Monday 27 February 1989.
AsAs
a student in the nineties I participated in several demos. We used to a student in the nineties I participated in several demos. We used to
fight for free access to education, healthcare and such. Under Chávez’s fight for free access to education, healthcare and such. Under Chávez’s
government we improved as a society in many of these aspects. There are government we improved as a society in many of these aspects. There are
still many challenges ahead: one of them is the economy and the final still many challenges ahead: one of them is the economy and the final
consolidation of Popular Power in the Communal State, as Chávez proposedconsolidation of Popular Power in the Communal State, as Chávez proposed
in El Plan de la Patria 2013-2019. in El Plan de la Patria 2013-2019.
Coromoto Jaraba Pineda, bloggerCoromoto Jaraba Pineda, blogger
“Venezuela is not Ukraine”“Venezuela is not Ukraine”
VenezuelaVenezuela
is not Ukraine. This is the same Venezuela we had at the end of the is not Ukraine. This is the same Venezuela we had at the end of the
eighties. Venezuelans have had always these very same problems:eighties. Venezuelans have had always these very same problems:
a) Dollar acquisition issues. Exchange rate controlsb) Price controls. Regulation on pricesc) Periodic problems with scarcity of supplies (consequently)d) People getting rid of money in order to save (by buying goods)e)a) Dollar acquisition issues. Exchange rate controlsb) Price controls. Regulation on pricesc) Periodic problems with scarcity of supplies (consequently)d) People getting rid of money in order to save (by buying goods)e)
And, I’m sorry to say, a tendency to dismiss stable ways of making And, I’m sorry to say, a tendency to dismiss stable ways of making
money and instead a preference for ‘the easy way’. Importing goods has money and instead a preference for ‘the easy way’. Importing goods has
always been preferred to manufacturing, for example. Hence the usual always been preferred to manufacturing, for example. Hence the usual
pressure on acquiring dollars.pressure on acquiring dollars.
VenezuelansVenezuelans
are intelligent and capable and hard workers when needed but since the are intelligent and capable and hard workers when needed but since the
seventies a corruption in their culture has taken over and Chávez did seventies a corruption in their culture has taken over and Chávez did
not help with that, unfortunately.not help with that, unfortunately.
VenezuelaVenezuela
looks like a playing ground for the current war between leftist and looks like a playing ground for the current war between leftist and
rightist ideologies but you’ll find that if the right wing comes to rightist ideologies but you’ll find that if the right wing comes to
power their problems will not end.power their problems will not end.
I’mI’m
a Venezuelan living in Canada and I’ve supported Chávez. But the guy a Venezuelan living in Canada and I’ve supported Chávez. But the guy
disappointed me by forgetting that Marx was an expert in classical economics. I don’t think Marx would have any of their a) or b) measures disappointed me by forgetting that Marx was an expert in classical economics. I don’t think Marx would have any of their a) or b) measures
above.above.
Actually, to match their current idiosyncrasies, Venezuela would do better by becoming more like Panama.Actually, to match their current idiosyncrasies, Venezuela would do better by becoming more like Panama.
PeoplePeople
there are currently making claims on Freedom and Democracy. But those there are currently making claims on Freedom and Democracy. But those
are false. Maduro is not as ‘open’ as Chávez but that’s only because are false. Maduro is not as ‘open’ as Chávez but that’s only because
he’s more of an asshole. I hope the Guardian will not be swayed by that.he’s more of an asshole. I hope the Guardian will not be swayed by that.
chirrilover via GuardianWitnesschirrilover via GuardianWitness
“The ideal that everything is going to be perfect if Maduro goes is stupid”“The ideal that everything is going to be perfect if Maduro goes is stupid”
ThereThere
are lots of reasons to protest, but if the political actors are said to are lots of reasons to protest, but if the political actors are said to
be the leaders, it makes no sense because the real reasons are be the leaders, it makes no sense because the real reasons are
distorted only to take power. It is the perfect situation for radicals distorted only to take power. It is the perfect situation for radicals
and guns. Then protests can take place in any street, blocking them, and guns. Then protests can take place in any street, blocking them,
taking this ‘fight’ next to houses and residential buildings, at day andtaking this ‘fight’ next to houses and residential buildings, at day and
night, without any permission, burning anything that is available in night, without any permission, burning anything that is available in
the streets, sometimes also cars, and they think that have the right to the streets, sometimes also cars, and they think that have the right to
do this, that they have the truth, and that they are the majority.do this, that they have the truth, and that they are the majority.
LaLa
Guardia Nacional (security force) arrives with perdigones [pellets] and Guardia Nacional (security force) arrives with perdigones [pellets] and
lacrimogen bombs [tear gas] and arrest people from these protests, and lacrimogen bombs [tear gas] and arrest people from these protests, and
then they protest again because some of their people are arrested. then they protest again because some of their people are arrested.
Security forces for sure have committed many excesses, as in each part Security forces for sure have committed many excesses, as in each part
of this earth, also in England, but there is no clear evidence that theyof this earth, also in England, but there is no clear evidence that they
have used guns. Only the first day (night) of protests Sebin (Servicio have used guns. Only the first day (night) of protests Sebin (Servicio
Bolivariano de Inteligencia) officers had guns, and there is a video Bolivariano de Inteligencia) officers had guns, and there is a video
where a person died while they were shooting.where a person died while they were shooting.
After that Maduro took down the Sebin director from his functions, and After that Maduro took down the Sebin director from his functions, and
Sebin officers didn’t appear again in the next days of protests.Sebin officers didn’t appear again in the next days of protests.
DoingDoing
all this for the ideal that everything is going to be perfect if Maduro all this for the ideal that everything is going to be perfect if Maduro
goes is stupid: corruption, economic situation and insecurity are deep goes is stupid: corruption, economic situation and insecurity are deep
problems that comes from Venezuelan culture, including the economical problems that comes from Venezuelan culture, including the economical
situation, because inflation and shortages are a result of speculation situation, because inflation and shortages are a result of speculation
and corruption.and corruption.
Ana Maria Castro via GuardianWitness, 22 February 2014Ana Maria Castro via GuardianWitness, 22 February 2014
“Reality is distorted”“Reality is distorted”
UsUs
Chavistas who support Maduro do not go out and protest because we are Chavistas who support Maduro do not go out and protest because we are
aware that the current problems arise from our internal contradictions, aware that the current problems arise from our internal contradictions,
that is, we know that the dominant class remains the owner of the means that is, we know that the dominant class remains the owner of the means
of production and, as a result, is directly responsible for the current of production and, as a result, is directly responsible for the current
shortages. They are making sure that the scarcity of basic food basket shortages. They are making sure that the scarcity of basic food basket
goods becomes a source of anxiety and discontent among the population, goods becomes a source of anxiety and discontent among the population,
in order to bring about the objective conditions for a coup d’état and in order to bring about the objective conditions for a coup d’état and
thus restore their dominance on power.thus restore their dominance on power.
DuringDuring
conversations with the different people who hop in my taxi, from your conversations with the different people who hop in my taxi, from your
everyday workers to frequent international travellers, I listen to theireveryday workers to frequent international travellers, I listen to their
points of view and each puts them forward according to their personal, points of view and each puts them forward according to their personal,
especially economic, interests. Your more down-to-earth workers say theyespecially economic, interests. Your more down-to-earth workers say they
have been included through the social policies of today’s Venezuelan have been included through the social policies of today’s Venezuelan
state, whether through free education, health, housing, sports and state, whether through free education, health, housing, sports and
culture, without any distinction, as well as social security pensions, culture, without any distinction, as well as social security pensions,
where I also find myself included, despite being an informal worker. where I also find myself included, despite being an informal worker.
Among the latter group, I sense a great deal of influence of the media’sAmong the latter group, I sense a great deal of influence of the media’s
negative portrayals: reality is distorted, overlooking information of negative portrayals: reality is distorted, overlooking information of
events actually taking place in the country.events actually taking place in the country.
Juan Contreras, taxi driver and grassroots organiser, Caricuao, CaracasJuan Contreras, taxi driver and grassroots organiser, Caricuao, Caracas
“I was present when they cleaned the street at the Primer Viaducto”“I was present when they cleaned the street at the Primer Viaducto”
II
am in Merida (municipalidad Libertador) living all this first hand. I am in Merida (municipalidad Libertador) living all this first hand. I
am in an opposition neighbourhood that has barricaded itself off from am in an opposition neighbourhood that has barricaded itself off from
the city, shutting access to the main roads in and out. I have been ablethe city, shutting access to the main roads in and out. I have been able
to confirm that other parts of Merida are normal and not part of the to confirm that other parts of Merida are normal and not part of the
protest. Today the protest leaders did allow the municipal trash trucks protest. Today the protest leaders did allow the municipal trash trucks
in to take out two weeks worth of trash that was making the place in to take out two weeks worth of trash that was making the place
unbearable. People were taking to burning their trash on the street, generating clouds of acrid smelling burning plastic bagsunbearable. People were taking to burning their trash on the street, generating clouds of acrid smelling burning plastic bags
and trash. Many people who are not protesters are walking around with and trash. Many people who are not protesters are walking around with
surgical masks because of the contamination. There is resentment growingsurgical masks because of the contamination. There is resentment growing
among residents against the protests. among residents against the protests.
TheThe
Guardia has attempted to clean the streets on many occasions, and soon Guardia has attempted to clean the streets on many occasions, and soon
as they do, a handful of the protestors find refuse and block it again. Ias they do, a handful of the protestors find refuse and block it again. I
was present when they cleaned the street at the Primer Viaducto, and was present when they cleaned the street at the Primer Viaducto, and
witnessed opposition women hitting the Guardia with their spoons on witnessed opposition women hitting the Guardia with their spoons on
their helmets and was surprised by the Guardia’s inaction.their helmets and was surprised by the Guardia’s inaction.
Roberto, VenezuelaRoberto, Venezuela
“We are not in opposition, as before, but are constituent power”“We are not in opposition, as before, but are constituent power”
TheThe
question [of why I have not protested] has an implicit false premise. question [of why I have not protested] has an implicit false premise.
Why say the Bolivarians do not protest? Yes I protest a lot. The way Why say the Bolivarians do not protest? Yes I protest a lot. The way
this question is worded reveals the Guardian’s assumptions about the this question is worded reveals the Guardian’s assumptions about the
revolution in Venezuela. It is a bit of a leading question. Great revolution in Venezuela. It is a bit of a leading question. Great
Britain does not have problems? Approaching our revolution from the Britain does not have problems? Approaching our revolution from the
hegemonic narrative prevents those who do not live here to understand hegemonic narrative prevents those who do not live here to understand
what is happening in Venezuela. You think from your own reality without what is happening in Venezuela. You think from your own reality without
realising that today, the popular (poor) sectors have direct access to realising that today, the popular (poor) sectors have direct access to
the government. We are not in opposition, as before, but are constituentthe government. We are not in opposition, as before, but are constituent
power. Probably when you read my answer you are going to say that I power. Probably when you read my answer you are going to say that I
have been ‘co-opted’, but for the first time in my long life my opinion have been ‘co-opted’, but for the first time in my long life my opinion
is heard by those in government. When we have something to protest is heard by those in government. When we have something to protest
against, individually or collectively, we look for a popular channel to against, individually or collectively, we look for a popular channel to
express a policy change but, additionally, we are making proposals. The express a policy change but, additionally, we are making proposals. The
political framework of Venezuela is a participatory democracy, not only political framework of Venezuela is a participatory democracy, not only
representative.representative.
UnlessUnless
we change the way we think we are destined and doomed to repeat the we change the way we think we are destined and doomed to repeat the
reality and we cannot transform our country. Venezuela needs to go reality and we cannot transform our country. Venezuela needs to go
through an educational process that allows the entire country to have through an educational process that allows the entire country to have
the cognitive tools to carry out the cultural revolution that we need tothe cognitive tools to carry out the cultural revolution that we need to
exit the contemporary framework of global capitalism and build a exit the contemporary framework of global capitalism and build a
socialism linking humans with their own power. I want an eco-socialist, socialism linking humans with their own power. I want an eco-socialist,
feminist revolution that informs answers from our history and desires tofeminist revolution that informs answers from our history and desires to
depatriarchalise and decolonise us. depatriarchalise and decolonise us.
Sandra Angeleri, ethnic studies professor, Central University of VenezuelaSandra Angeleri, ethnic studies professor, Central University of Venezuela
“Corruption and socialism don’t work. Neither do corruption and capitalism for that matter”“Corruption and socialism don’t work. Neither do corruption and capitalism for that matter”
AA
few days ago I completed a border run from Los Llanos – the baking and few days ago I completed a border run from Los Llanos – the baking and
arid Venezuelan plains – to Colombia: a 20 hour round trip by car more arid Venezuelan plains – to Colombia: a 20 hour round trip by car more
or less. Stayed the night in the border town, San Antonio, and crossed or less. Stayed the night in the border town, San Antonio, and crossed
over to Cucuta in Colombia and came back the same day. No ‘riots’ on theover to Cucuta in Colombia and came back the same day. No ‘riots’ on the
Venezuelan side just burned rubbish strewn across the main Venezuelan side just burned rubbish strewn across the main
thoroughfares by the guarimbas – or saboteurs – as they are called by thoroughfares by the guarimbas – or saboteurs – as they are called by
the government and Chavistas.the government and Chavistas.
ThereThere
were some protesters in San Antonio. They had signs like ‘end the were some protesters in San Antonio. They had signs like ‘end the
shortages’ (here here), ‘Maduro should get an education’ (possibly – he shortages’ (here here), ‘Maduro should get an education’ (possibly – he
is a former bus driver) and ‘Cubans go home’ (I still don’t get what is a former bus driver) and ‘Cubans go home’ (I still don’t get what
they have against the Cubans). They were painting cars (without they have against the Cubans). They were painting cars (without
permission) with anti-Maduro slogans. I am told these protesters are permission) with anti-Maduro slogans. I am told these protesters are
students. They looked well off and far from emaciated and destitute. Notstudents. They looked well off and far from emaciated and destitute. Not
the indignant proletariat ready to cast off their chains. the indignant proletariat ready to cast off their chains.
ObviouslyObviously
there are shortages here in Venezuela and, as Obama correctly said (I there are shortages here in Venezuela and, as Obama correctly said (I
am paraphrasing), ‘the Venezuelan government should stop accusing the USam paraphrasing), ‘the Venezuelan government should stop accusing the US
and listen to the legitimate concerns of its people’. Maduro spoke of and listen to the legitimate concerns of its people’. Maduro spoke of
dialogue in one of his speeches but there is no dialogue between the dialogue in one of his speeches but there is no dialogue between the
left and right. The views of each side are too entrenched. If the left and right. The views of each side are too entrenched. If the
opposition focused on legitimate concerns, perhaps they might be worth opposition focused on legitimate concerns, perhaps they might be worth
listening to.listening to.
II
should mention that Americans are not allowed to cross the border where should mention that Americans are not allowed to cross the border where
I crossed, or at least this is what I was told by one border guard who I crossed, or at least this is what I was told by one border guard who
offered us coffee and chatted to us and cracked jokes at 4am while he offered us coffee and chatted to us and cracked jokes at 4am while he
checked our car for drugs from Colombia. Indeed, this would be my checked our car for drugs from Colombia. Indeed, this would be my
biggest issue with the government: lack of information and lack of biggest issue with the government: lack of information and lack of
accountability. They give few reasons for the cuts beyond sabotage and accountability. They give few reasons for the cuts beyond sabotage and
the Colombian smugglers but there does seem to have been a dip in the Colombian smugglers but there does seem to have been a dip in
production as well. There should also be accountability when it comes toproduction as well. There should also be accountability when it comes to
corruption. Corruption and socialism don’t work. Neither do corruption corruption. Corruption and socialism don’t work. Neither do corruption
and capitalism for that matter. Too much money has been siphoned off andand capitalism for that matter. Too much money has been siphoned off and
no accountability. no accountability.
If I were protesting, this is what I would be If I were protesting, this is what I would be
calling for – more transparency and more accountability. Something whichcalling for – more transparency and more accountability. Something which
one could call for with far too many governments these days, the one could call for with far too many governments these days, the
British government included.British government included.
Lee Mackenzie (read his full story on GuardianWitness)Lee Mackenzie (read his full story on GuardianWitness)
“There were no proposals regarding economic demands”“There were no proposals regarding economic demands”
TheThe
set of economic policies that were implemented by the Bolivarian set of economic policies that were implemented by the Bolivarian
Government at the end of 2013 took place in a context of systematic Government at the end of 2013 took place in a context of systematic
harassment and hostilities against Venezuela’s economic stability. harassment and hostilities against Venezuela’s economic stability.
Nevertheless, efforts continue to be made to ensure the advancement of Nevertheless, efforts continue to be made to ensure the advancement of
social achievements in a context which Chavismo has been termed social achievements in a context which Chavismo has been termed
‘Economic War’. During the march of 12 February 2014 and the whole of ‘Economic War’. During the march of 12 February 2014 and the whole of
the violent protests that followed it the following days, it became the violent protests that followed it the following days, it became
obvious that there were no proposals regarding economic demands or the obvious that there were no proposals regarding economic demands or the
defence of student rights or any other sector of society affected by anydefence of student rights or any other sector of society affected by any
specific political or economic reality. They are not protesting about specific political or economic reality. They are not protesting about
these issues because they lack their own social and political agenda, these issues because they lack their own social and political agenda,
but rather they are integral part to national and international plans but rather they are integral part to national and international plans
that seek to overthrow the Bolivarian government.that seek to overthrow the Bolivarian government.
Pablo Giménez, economist, Bolivarian University of VenezuelaPablo Giménez, economist, Bolivarian University of Venezuela