OPINION:Despite the president's propaganda of progress, Venezuela is riven by political intimidation, inflation and crime, writes Paul Quigley
PRESIDENT HUGO Chávez is making yet another televised appearance. Today, as on most days, he is sporting revolutionary red and military green, fashioned a la Fidel, with a hint of Ché.
Hours later, his slow, deliberate speech continues, talk of government for the people and lists of statistics of how well the country is progressing after 10 years of the Revolución Socialista.
Outside the studios, schools are crumbling, streets are piled with rubbish, child prostitution is increasing, cities are lawless centres of razor wire and bullets. Inflation is rising fast – the new currency, barely a year old, daily loses its power to purchase.
Over 80 per cent of goods are imported with oil money and redistributed by the government. National production is falling to nothing and lands go to waste in this fertile paradise. Successful businesses are appropriated by the state “for the people”, then given over to friends of the party.
Venezuelans now go on holiday to Colombia because, they say, it’s cheaper and a whole lot safer. I don’t know what prosperous country Chávez is talking about, but it certainly isn’t Venezuela.
Julietta is 25, a qualified lawyer prohibited from working because she voted against Chávez. This is a familiar story; computer details have been filed on all voters from the last election to be held against them later. You cannot work in any government position unless you sign your allegiance to Chávez. Any opinions contrary to the party and you’re out.
Julietta is ready to emigrate. “How can I start a family in such a place? I am not even allowed an opinion,” says Julietta. “There’s less food every week and what is left costs more than anyone can pay. My husband has been held at gunpoint twice in the last six months. Ten years of Chávez is too much . . . he has to go.”
Chávez, however, does not want to go and it seems will do anything in his power to stay. He is currently trying to force an amendment to the constitution which will allow him indefinite terms as president. Last December, the people returned a resounding No to this amendment. Chávez did not like this result and is repeating the referendum this month. The opposition claims even the first referendum was illegal, but then, he controls the lawyers, most of the media, the government and the army, so who can stop him?
Sunday in a small country town and the plaza is full of redshirts sitting in the shadow of the church. The party rally is loud music, fireworks and a theatrical speech. The orator receives a half-hearted dribble of applause for his dramatics. Down at the bakery, the owner is waving his arms at me. “Look at those paid monkeys up there, they don’t even have to work,” he says. “They wear red shirts, attend these rallies, promise to vote for the party and collect their paychecks. This insane referendum is costing millions.”
More customers join in, shouting and gesticulating angrily, wanting to tell this gringo – me – all about it. Some of the redshirts enter the cafe but this does not stop the tirade.
“Our money is worth nothing, my sons cannot work, we have been intimidated out of our home town. This government is ruining our country. If this amendment goes through, the people will take to the streets.”
Huge money is being used in the propaganda campaign for a Yes vote, along with the dark promise of increased army presence to stop any organised demonstrations. Tear gas has been used several times already this year and the cars of opposition figures burnt out. The increase in social tension and public outrage means that the violence which took place at the first referendum will most likely be greater this time around.
Will the Venezuelan people have their voices heard? Will oil money buy a Yes result or will the result bear no relation to the actual voting? We’ll know after February 15th.
Paul Quigley from Dublin is an engineer and financial consultant. He has been travelling in Venezuela since November