Where my head is.

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.