If there is one random fact that you need to know about the
Martinez family, it is that whenever there is an international competition on
we are glued to the TV. Screaming every goal, following every medal and cheer
there is. Today the Sochi Olympics of 2014 came to an end, and I can honestly
say, that I have no idea about any of the events that happened in the last
couple of weeks in Russia.
Because in the last few weeks my head has been 400 miles
away from Bucaramanga. And it seems that nothing else in the world needs my
attention .
Let me try to explain what is happening in Venezuela.
We had a character
in the presidency for the last 14 years who preached about ending hunger,
insecurity and inequality across the country. He stud up for “socialist” and
anti-imperialist ideas and condemned to anyone that was against him to be a traitor.
Last year, he died
of terminal cancer.
But before leaving
to Cuba to get treatment he appointed ,
Nicolas Maduro as his rightful successor in national TV. He was the one to keep his legacy alive.
A bus driver who
likes talking to little birds was now the next in line in the chavista
monarchy.
According to the Venezuela constitution if a president dies
during the his term, within 30 days there needs to be new elections and a new
official president. There were 15 days of political campaign were,in a sense,
hope was recovered by the Venezuelan opposition. But when a government has
complete and utter control of its country it was clear who was going to win. By
.8 percent Nicolas Maduro was claimed the President of the Bolivarian Republic
of Venezuela.
And that is where
hell broke loose and one of the most traumatic years in Venezuelan history
started.
A scarcity of
basic food and care products. Milk, sugar, vegetable oil and the precious flour
that makes the holy arepa in every household. Medicine, baby formula and things
that that would seem normal became gold, that could only be found in a
treasure hunt.
Photo Credit (Lapatilla.com)
Insecurity claimed
the life (only in 2013) of 25000 Venezuelans. The hospitals and services are
worse than ever. The country’s infrastructure has decayed in such a way that it
is painful to see.
After almost 15 years
the citizens of my dear country have awakened, and decided to fill the street
with the hope for a change. The students of various Universities and high schools
raise their voice and demand the president of Venezuela to step down.
10 of them have
been murdered and never will be able to see the possible change. More than 325
injured teens and adults. They have become the fire and drive of the protest.
There is a
bittersweet feeling that invades the heart of every Venezuelan. There is a need
for a change and the students are helping to achieve it but our preoccupation with
their wellbeing hasn’t let us rest in the past weeks.
