Praying in the Streets of Caracas

Caridad

HAVANA TIMES —Is Hugo Chavez Alive? This is the question continually being repeated by the media inside and outside of Venezuela.

The idea that his death is only a matter of medical devices that can be disconnected with the whistle of an order is the news being featured in Caracas newspapers.

At the same time, but elsewhere in the Venezuelan capital, the streets are immersed in a sea of red, with people dancing, crying and shouting slogans according their emotions or the sound systems in dozens of rallies.

That was on Thursday, though it was much like many other mornings and evenings of marches, music, beer and balloons here.

Occasionally, though, one will hear a new exclamation: “Viva Maduro!”

The large outdoor LED screens at the rallies, as usual, showed the most beautiful images of the Bolivarian process. These were followed by speeches by Latin American presidents who came in as a gesture of support.

We went out with a camera and video equipment, and in several places we were hit with the same question: “Who are you working for?” These were followed by disbelieving looks, something that had happened to me on other occasions, but with less emphasis than this time (January 10).

Why is it that some Venezuelans need to know where the cameras come from? Isn’t a journalist or someone producing a video entitled to show “their perspective,” even if they don’t share the same ideas? For a moment I felt a little like I was in Cuba.

But the good nature of the majority of Venezuelans always comes to the surface and makes me forget any such bumps.

On the way we found a small market selling cornmeal for making arepas, an essential part of our diet (I’ve adopted Venezuelan tastes). It’s been difficult to find for several weeks and we didn’t let opportunity escape.

Many supermarket owners who are upset with the government go around hiding flour, sugar and any product whose absence irritates people.

Then came the airplanes – powerful and super-fast ones, huge and noisy ones, making their choreographed twists and turns in the clouds over Caracas valley. The uproar was widespread, with people’s fists in the air “so they learn their lesson.”

Still, it wasn’t very clear to me who was supposed to be “learning.” So far I haven’t heard of any imminent threat of attack by “some power” (we know who, so I won’t be redundant).

So it’s the “opposition” that has to “learn”? Was this aerobic military exercise for the enemies of the government (who these days haven’t stopped fussing over the alleged illegality regarding the inauguration of President Hugo Chavez)?

In any case, I don’t believe that a demonstration of military force is the best way to communicate with an enemy, more so if it’s of the same nationality …but everyone knows their own job best.

Old people always say that when someone whistles in the dark, it’s because they’re afraid.

It’s not that grounds for this don’t exist. Coups are daily bread in these lands, and Venezuela has known them, just as the opponents of this government have participated in them.

I wish for good health for Chavez, for all people who are ill, and for Venezuelan society. And I wish for good spiritual health for those in the future who end up with the power in their hands.