Venezuela. Parts of its coast brush the Caribbean Sea, its politics have erupted in worldwide controversy, but how much is really understood about the lesser-known South American country? Ignorant or not, many people have not heard of Hugo Chávez and it is a similar story when evoking images of Venezuela as a whole. As president of Venezuela, Chávez’s delightful tendency towards dictating and outspoken dislike for US leaders is just a start. Don’t get me wrong, there are many positive effects of his type of rule, that is if you enjoy moonlit walks and lengthy listens to the radio. Venezuela is powered by hydroelectricity, considerate to the environment maybe, not so much for the people, as power cuts have been occurring more and more frequently. Due to dams drying up, rationing of power has now become a popular favourite of the government and people who overuse electricity can be charged 75% more.
In his spare time Hugo likes nothing better than to front his own TV and radio show ‘Alo Presidente’ which can last up to 8 hours. (Imagine the excitement here if Gordon Brown picked up a microphone for such a length of time). Shockingly this wasn’t a big enough winner with the public. Never fear however, for he has gained control of cable and refused to renew a number of rebelling private channel’s TV licences. He can now pop out of nowhere at any given time to attempt his mind control over the nation.
This could all sound like harmless, eccentric fun, until we delve back to a time long ago (well, 1992). A younger, military-powered Chávez was imprisoned after an attempted coup to overthrow the then Venezuelan president, Carlos Andrés Pérez. The attempt was an absolute failure, leaving over 100 people injured and Chávez crawling back to the government to hand himself in. Despite this, many Venezuelans were inspired by his stand against the terrible government at the time. Six years later Chávez was running his very own, perfectly legal electoral campaign. Which brings us to the present day and Chávez’s new and improved term limits, or lack thereof, meaning he can be re-elected an unlimited number of times, prompting questions over his leadership skills and temptation to dictate.
However, it would be a crime of sorts if we judged Venezuela simply by its politics. It is a beautiful country which has much more to offer in terms of travel and experience. Visiting Venezuela, travellers can be blissfully unaware of any political situation- apart from possibly learning that Venezuela is the 5th biggest exporter of oil and therefore oil prices in the country are shockingly cheap. Not only that, so is the alcohol: a bottle of rum is around £4. Of course, as an innocent traveller to Venezuela, it is extremely likely that you’ll miss out on the delightful radio shows. Although you could be lucky enough to visit the highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls, in the heart of the Venezuelan jungle. Helicopters can be taken for a spectacular view on non-cloudy days or boats in the wet season, June-December. It is also only a boat trip away to Caribbean islands so desolate that many are uninhabited. Tiny Caribbean islands surround the country, some with only one family inhabiting the whole island. It is literally part of a different world. Turquoise seas and white sands aside however, there are mud baths, and very friendly, amusing locals. Hunks of rusting metal emerge from the water. Shipwrecks, which now home flocks of birds, are exciting diving points.
Although it is advisable to be careful in parts of Venezuela – there are military checkpoints in areas, and drug checks at airports are extremely strict and intrusive. What is most striking about the country is how friendly and helpful many of the people are, to the extent that you would never think they were living through such erratic rule. Imagine the average Englishman chatting happily about his country’s jagged history without having a dig about the weather. Some areas are isolated, meaning travelling via taxis can be best, but they are fairly cheap and happy to arrange pick-ups to make exploring areas less of a stress, with a simple wander back to the cab.
With all these activities to take up your time try not to forget, Hugo Chávez is still in power. What is more, he’s irritating a new world leader everyday and with an election approaching, what more could he have up his sleeve? A national bungee jump off Angel Falls, sorry, Kerepakupai Merú, to prove its true heritage? Perhaps he’ll use the remaining electricity to create the new blockbuster dedicated to and with a soundtrack by the one and only Mr Chávez? Whatever the future has in store for Venezuela, it’s sure to be more exciting than listening to the British politicians’ dispute over who has the best fake tan, in a very proper fashion of course.
Sonya Booth
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