Response from Venezuela

By Rowena Hill

 


There is not a lot to say about the Venezuelan reaction to Obama's victory, at least on Margarita Island where I live, retired and looking to the sea for some serenity. The reaction of people I spoke to was relief, because of what Obama stands for (and stands against) and the hope for better relations between USA and this part of the world. He's a figure that people here – as in the 'south' in general - identify with, for his color and his tough background. But no one went out to celebrate, and I heard of no celebrations in Caracas either.

The interest, anyway, was in the middle class. It's not that Chávez's 'people' don't know how important USA is for their well being, but their impressions are not direct; they're filtered through the President's ranting against 'yanquis' and imperialism, and Chávez has not praised Obama. And everyone here is too preoccupied with our own regional elections, coming up on 23rd November, to pay much attention to an election in the north. Chávez has lost a lot of popularity, but is more determined than ever to stay in power and push through his socialist 'revolution'. He has disqualified by dishonest means many of the strong opposition candidates and threatened to bring out the tanks if his party loses in one of the main states. Whether he wins or loses, we are in for a harsh time. Not to mention that there is no convincing alternative to his government in sight. So perhaps it's not surprising that the happiness that people here might feel at Obama's victory was muted.

PS, New Year 2009

So the elections are past, there were no immediate reprisals (except threats not to give the opposition governors any money), but we are still not allowed to get on with life in such peace as we can personally find. Chavez can't stand not being assured of power and popularity, and we have to vote again (AGAIN! – referendum on 15th February) on whether we want him as president for ever. Festivities over, the campaign has begun.