Saturday June 14, 2025
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast
Versión Español
PanAm Post
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
PanAm Post
No Result
View All Result

Home » Carrying the Memories of Venezuela on Our Backs

Carrying the Memories of Venezuela on Our Backs

Contributor by Contributor
November 5, 2014
in Editor's Pick, Society
FacebookTwitterTelegramWhatsapp
The children of yesterday are corrupted by the violence and authoritarianism that have been eating away at Venezuelan institutions (Street Reporters of Venezuela)
Those who lived through our country’s decline bear responsibility for restoring its democratic institutions. (Street Reporters of Venezuela)

EspañolAfter looking back at photos from my childhood, I have come to one conclusion: Venezuelans who grew up under the Chávez regime carry the enormous weight of memories forgone. We not only grew up with things changing around us, like most people, we lost the opportunity to rekindle the treasured images of our childhood.

The arts became politicized; the names of mountains changed; friends left the country; plazas and parks were abandoned; the beaches became polluted; our favorite products disappeared; and items we once took for granted became luxuries. The only things that remain are distant memories from a childhood fantasy, as if it were another person in an unknown land.

RelatedArticles

Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?

Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?

November 20, 2024
In one of Palermo's most iconic venues, Paul Corban played for an intimate audience, surrounded by flickering candles and the rhythmic murmur of Malbec glasses clinking together.

The Paul Corban Experience: A Night to Be Thankful For

November 17, 2024

When Chávez came to power, I was 10 years old. My family saw him as the president who would put an end to the years of corruption that preceded him. But it didn’t take long for them to observe his true nature.

Venezuelans saw the truth too late, despite the evidence before their very eyes, that a man who orchestrated a coup is not the right person to lead a country. And this truth may hurt for many people, especially those who labored hard to just get by. With the veil of populism over their eyes, they still voted for the candidate of misery; even some well-educated individuals took the bait. Years later, they would face the harsh reality of losing nearly everything they had.

Ultimately, that generation of voters had only lived through one of many chapters in Venezuelan history. The nation’s prevailing democracy was all they knew, and they wanted an easy way out of the very problems that would manifest themselves in a nastier form during the height of the Chávez regime.

In my generation’s case, we had to live through the two realities: pre-Chávez and post-Chávez politics. I ask myself, if none of this had occurred and another redeemer politician in the mold of Chávez were to appear, would I fall for the same trap? Should we be thankful that Venezuela has hit rock bottom, so we can finally learn to appreciate liberal democracy and its institutions?

But now no one can tell us, the Venezuelan youth, that we did not notice. We had the beast of totalitarianism right in front of us.

I would like for all of my generation have this lesson ingrained in our conscience. I am disappointed when I hear, for example, that a coup against Nicolás Maduro is necessary.

Then what? Will the next all-powerful Venezuelan leader actually guarantee us a stable democratic environment and legislative framework to allow for a prosperous economy to grow? It sounds contradictory to me.

Democracies function because all types of thinkers can live peacefully within them, and people assume their share of responsibility for their political environment. We will never gain liberty using the tools of tyranny.

Now, as the woman who lost her precious Venezuela, and not like the little girl in the photos, I listened to this song again — one of the various songs that we learned and sang with so much warmth and kindness in this country that once had fleeting dreams and opportunities for all. Now I must assume my responsibility for restoring my country’s democratic institutions.

I carry your light and your fragrance in my skin
and the cuatro in my heart
I carry sea foam in my blood
and your horizon in my eyes.

… My childhood was left between your beaches
enjoying the wind and lying in the sun
and that nostalgia creeping into my voice
unknowingly it turned into a song.

I want the immensity of the mountains
and the beautiful river water
and from you the children that will create
new stars.

With the Venezuela that many of us carry on our backs, we must make sense of this massive, collective failure and make our example worthwhile.

Translated by José Niño. Edited by Fergus Hodgson.

Tags: Venezuela
Contributor

Contributor

Related Posts

Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?
Argentina

Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?

November 20, 2024
In one of Palermo's most iconic venues, Paul Corban played for an intimate audience, surrounded by flickering candles and the rhythmic murmur of Malbec glasses clinking together.
Culture

The Paul Corban Experience: A Night to Be Thankful For

November 17, 2024
A Rock N’ Roll Mystery: Dan Rather’s ‘Kenneth Frequency’
News

A Rock N’ Roll Mystery: Dan Rather’s ‘Kenneth Frequency’

November 10, 2024
U.S. Congress Seeks to “Expose the Truth” in New UFO Hearing
News

U.S. Congress Seeks to “Expose the Truth” in New UFO Hearing

November 10, 2024
Border agents arrived at this conclusion regarding the dispatch of criminals authorized by the Maduro regime after collecting testimonies from suspects. (Archive)
North America

Breitbart: Maduro Sends Released Prisoners to the U.S. to “Neutralize” Targets

November 8, 2024
Is the New Superman Inspired by Javier Milei?
Argentina

Is the New Superman Inspired by Javier Milei?

November 7, 2024
Next Post
Is There a ‘New Path to Liberty’ for Latin America?

Is There a 'New Path to Liberty' for Latin America?

Subscribe free and never miss another breaking story

  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast

© 2024 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact

© 2024 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy and Cookie Policy.