Analysis: Venezuela is terminal
The end of Venezuela's "revolution" is in sight. The demand of a large part of the people to be freed from a hopeless existence and unbearable suffering is increasing. But what is the alternative? On to a military state Like former President Chavez, who eventually died of cancer, [...]
From unemployed hipster to UN Security Council member
Maria Gabriela Chavéz, the daughter of Hugo Chavéz, was recently appointed to the 15-member UN Security Council. This is the first job in Maria's life. How did Maria go from party girl, to member of the UN? Maria Gabriela Chavéz (34), born March 12, 1980, is one of the five children of former President [...]
Venezuela: The powerless 'monopoly' millionaire
Dutch hotel owner in Venezuela Frank is fretting. He would like to return to the Netherlands, away from the corruption and hyperinflation. But it can't be done. Image: Guy Van den Branden He sits quietly but looks somewhat confused and sad in front of him. In his - self-created - safe environment, he ponders [...]
Eddy is dead, tortured and burned alive
I have known Eddy for about six months, my friends for more than 10 years. Eddy, a German man with a beard who was regularly called Santa Claus by children. He was not liked by everyone. He was gruff, stubborn and opinionated but had a genuinely good heart. Eddy is no more, he was horribly murdered. And [...]
Voluntarily incarcerated in Tocoron, Venezuela's most notorious prison
Tocoron is Venezuela's most notorious prison. There are hundreds of deaths every year and really anything can be had there. Weapons, cocktails and even a crocodile can be found within the walls. I volunteered to be locked up there. Normally the access road to the prison that overlooks an open field is deserted. This morning, however, [...]
Photo report: Coloctive vs. CICPC (police) - The next day
On Oct. 7, a "shootout" ensued between members of a colectivo and the CICPC (police) in Caracas. This is remarkable because the colectivos never actually have a problem with the police. But that day was different. Some media did not even mention the incident others spoke of 3 or 5 dead, including the leader [...].
Who is Carvajal aka "El Pollo" and why does Minister Timmermans order his release?
Not many people had unfettered direct access to Hugo Chavez. Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios aka "El Pollo" (the chicken) did have this. As head of the military intelligence service, he had unlimited resources at his disposal to accomplish his goals. In recent years, several pieces of evidence have surfaced showing [...]
Venezuela: San Antonio prison: Drugs, sex and... Salsa
On Isla Margarita just outside the capital city of Porlamar stands the San Antonio prison. From the outside it looks like a -gate locked by guards and -the fence watched by snipers-, like any normal prison in Venezuela. Appearances can be deceiving. Once you are through the gate there is no trace of what [...]
Venezuela: more and more less
The shortages in Venezuela are beginning to take on extreme proportions. Besides the shelves of stores getting emptier and emptier, the price of what is still there getting higher and higher, production is at a standstill in many areas due to a shortage of raw materials. A solution? This one is not yet in sight. The sign "No [...]
Venezuela 1: The mothers are in charge.
When I got there it was fairly tame, yet immediately there was a tense atmosphere. People were on the lookout, some of the barricades from the previous day were still there, and at the end of the street I could see the armored vehicles of the army standing by. Still, my guide managed to tell me, it was [...]
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