Pray for Venezula, and Demand World Action
As someone who saw her childhood irrevocably changed by a military, totalitarian government, what has been occurring in Venezuela worries and angers me. For years, the country has suffered an economic crisis and violence against civilians has escalated. Now that the people, especially young people, have taken to the streets to bring awareness to these issues, the military has retaliated in a bloody, and unnecessarily violent ways.
Many non-profit organizations like Un Mundo Sin Mordaza (A World without a (Mouth) Gag) and Amnesty International have called for scrutiny and worldwide attention on the latest violence against peaceful demonstrators, in Venezuela.
The following video is one of the most unbiased, citizen accounts of the actions against the Venezuelan people, by their own government. It is not suitable for young children. unless they watch it under the guidance of a trusted adult who can explain its historical context. The images are disturbing, but keep in mind that these actions have been escalating over the years. They did not begin in a bubble. They were allowed to happen under our watch, by good people who turned a blind eye.
Pray for peace, but be prepared to wage it.
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 
February 17, 2014 at 4:28 pm
How can this happen in this day and age?! I don’t understand how people can be so evil, and for what?? Power? Money? How can a few leaders brainwash so many law enforcement/military individuals? I have never understood any of it and it makes me so so sad. Is this where you were born, Michelle? I will pray for the people of Venezuela.
February 17, 2014 at 5:31 pm
It’s unconscionable. The Venezuelan people are merely asking for accountability from their government by way of peaceful demonstrations. They have been experiencing an economic downfall for over 20 years – after so many businesses were “nationalized” and fell under government control. Anyone who spoke up against the government was either “disappeared” or murdered. Now, they’ve moved to straight murder in the streets. We need to keep abreast of the situation, because it’s happening in our backyard and Venezuela is a member of OPEC. (The oil money should get SOME buy-in from the US, but I’m not holding my breath).
I was born and raised in Panama, under military rule. While there are some similarities to the situation in Venezuela, the violence was not as widespread (it’s a smaller country and it was the 1970-1990). It is a touchy subject because the military leaders in most of Latin America were trained by the U.S. government in the “School of the Americas.” It was a “leadership academy” to counteract the influx of Communism, after Cuba became a Marxist state. However, it was a double-edged sword, because there was no way to “control” them once they rose to power. Noriega was a creation of this “school,” and it took an act by US troops to “remove” him.
Both nations “uprising” came from the middle and upper-middle classes – educated folks who saw what was happening, warned against it and suffered the consequences of speaking out. I’m heartbroken for my Venezuelan friends, because we’ve been watching things escalate over time.
February 18, 2014 at 8:02 am
I hope they are able to make progress! With 21st century social media, this could be their time. xo
February 18, 2014 at 9:20 am
As long as the eyes of the world stay on them, it really could be. Hugs!
February 18, 2014 at 9:53 am
Umm, where the hell is the western media??
February 18, 2014 at 11:34 am
Probably ripping the Affordable Care Act or frothing over the non-crisis that was Bengazi.
February 18, 2014 at 11:43 am
That’s just one network. Where are all the rest that should be more sympathetic? My profession has sold it’s soul to the highest bidding advertiser….
February 18, 2014 at 11:45 am
True journalists no longer exist, in my opinion. They are told what and how to report. Very sad.
February 28, 2014 at 5:03 am
Hi there,
I enjoy the comments about Latin American politics. Can I pose a question. What if the right wing were to win the elections in Latin America. What would happen to the social programs ? Would they privatize the social programs. put Venezuela under I.M.F rules. the poverty reduction which the World Bank even admits is real and due to social programs what happens when they are slashed. Carter Center confirmed many elections in Venezuela are fair and even the opposition ads are on State TV. which makes up about 6 percent. Interesting you brought up Noriega who was used by the U.S to get at Daniel Ortega, well Ortega is back in Nicaragua and more popular than ever. This isn’t just about Chavez Maduro or the P.S.U.V winning. the left is winning all over Latin America. To say Venezuela isn’t free is not registering to me. After the coup in 2003 who voted for that puppet who was installed , no one. We need to ask questions the Neo-Con’s and interventionists got us in Iraq and have kept us in Afghanistan. We need to ask questions.
February 28, 2014 at 8:53 am
I don’t favor the right over the left in any of Latin America, as both have had a tendency to skew toward totalitarianism (and “disappearing” the opposition). Both are equally culpable.
My concerns are personal and biased, as someone who grew up under a military regime, in Panama – it irrevocably changed my childhood. Venezuela has become a lawless state with innocent civilians being murdered while doing normal, every day things. I would like to see the dialogue, the student (coalition) protestors are calling for, happen. And, of course, for the shootings and beatings to stop. As for politics, I believe the Venezuelan people have effectively shown they are not satisfied with the current state of affairs, vehemently enough to place their lives in danger and calling for the removal of Cuban “advisers.”