The News

I have been watching more television here in Venezuela in recent days (I got sick of watching it at some point) and must say that finally, Globovision, Venevision, RCTV and Televen, the four privately-owned stations, appear to be reporting quite objectively.

However, their editorial news and commentary programs ... similar to some recent Washington Post, BBC and other USA media articles and editorials ... are still overtly anti-Chavez, pro-USA and manipulative, distorting facts in favor of anti-Chavez bashing ... claiming that Chavez is inciting terrorism, Chavez is a communist, Chavez is allowing infiltration of FARC members, Chavez is a dictator, Chavez must be ousted, Chavez people are sabotaging the refineries, the Chavez government is backing terror cells ... Chavez this and Chavez that.

Their advertising appears back to normal, however they still pass a few opposition sponsored ads (paid for by whom?) calling for people to take to the streets. The next "march" is planned for this coming Saturday, March 7, and the ads include the following calls:

"...all Venezuelans take to the streets... to the highway at Chacao... march against political oppression...against judicial terrorism...for our liberty and for democracy...in support of those who are persecuted for political reasons...you have the right to demand liberty and democracy for your country..."

The more I see of these commercials, the more they appear to contain American-style rhetoric: against terrorism, for liberty, for our country, for democracy, etc. Also, the increase in the use of the word terrorism by opposition people started after the bombings of the Colombian and Spanish embassies/consulates a few days ago. (Note that Chavez has been using the word "terrorism" for weeks ... to describe the opposition's attempt without-conscience at destroying Venezuela ... and in my opinion, correctly so).

For months, the opposition tried (and are still trying) to link Chavez to people such as Saddam Hussein and Khadaffi ... to biological weapons. Now they're trying to link him to the FARC. They also accuse Chavez of being a communist because of his close relations with Fidel Castro, but wasn't Carlos Andres Perez close to Fidel Castro in some way as well?

I speak of these things to bring to view another side of Venezuela.

Expensive restaurants are full, banks are open, some "casas de cambio" are open. Even with all the talk of scarcity of food, it appears to me that there is plenty. Manufacturers are working in the industrial area of the barrio where I am. Everything appears to be coming back to normal (except for the continuation of marches and demonstrations by opposition supporters, which include blocking the main arteries of Caracas).

However, speaking with people here in the barrio, it's obvious that many are struggling. The economy was taken to the floor by the incessant attempts by the opposition to oust Chavez by paralyzing the country ... and many people lost their jobs, including some of my friends.

But ... there is a positive side.

Many people are realizing that now is a good time to start businesses, to be creative, to find new ways of making money ... and perhaps to not be so customarily dependent on an employer who pays a pitiful minimum wage.

Has the opposition helped open the eyes of the average Venezuelan to greater possibilities?

Venezuela has all the basics and the talent to produce anything they want (instead of importing 60-70 % of consumer items, including food). Venezuela has oil, gold, precious stones, aluminum, ore, and extensive undeveloped agricultural capacity.

Now is probably the best time to start new ventures.

Venezuela can be "The best country in the world." For readers who have not been to Venezuela, I highly recommend that you come to visit and disregard the negative press that some of the "international media" and the Venezuelan anti-Chavez media is spreading.

In a recent telephone survey by Globovision (the major anti-Chavez television station) viewers were asked to answer the following question: "What is the main problem in Venezuela at this time?"

The answers:

1) Unemployment 14.0%

2) Insecurity (as in personal safety) 5.7%

3) Political situation 76.0%

4) Cost of living 4.3%

...and imagine, these are answers coming almost entirely from anti-Chavez, pro-opposition people! The same ones that are spreading all sorts of horrible rumors about the "dangers," "terrorism," "kidnappings" and "human rights abuses" that a visitor will supposedly encounter in Venezuela.

Venezuela has mountains (Andes), lakes, plains, jungles, Caribbean beaches and islands, tepuys, waterfalls and deserts.

There is dry heat, humid heat, cool weather, cold weather, snow.

There are crocodiles, boas, snakes of all kinds, capibaras, monkeys, lots of parrots, eagles, vultures, dolphins and piranhas.

You can go para-gliding in the Andes, white river rafting, parachute, take helicopter trips to Angel Falls (the highest falls in the world) and the Tepuys ... you can take 4-5 days tours into the Amazon jungles and live with the indians ... you can rest at top-notch tourist resorts on Isla de Margarita or Los Roques or rent inexpensive "posadas" in small fishing villages along the Caribbean.

In Merida you can take a spectacular trip on the longest cable car in the world (if I recall correctly 11-12 km. in length).

Venezuela has everything ... but above all ... Venezuelans.

Venezuelans are a kind, jovial, family oriented, resourceful and proud people.

Families take care of their elders at home ... children and adults feast together ... the music is everywhere.

For me ... and for many people who immigrated to Venezuela ... and for many Venezuelans ... Venezuela is "The best country in the world."