Enjoyed this, Roger! We recently moved back to the US from Lima, Peru. (My wife is Peruvian.) Of course, many Venezuelans have fled to Peru, mostly the capital, the last few years. The stories we heard from some were heartbreaking.
I’m very worried about Peru now! Many of the same conditions exist that allowed Chavez to come to power . . . Corruption at every level of government. In fact, it’s so prevalent that Peruvians have just accepted it. I used to conduct my own “poll” around every election. When presented with a candidate who was known to be less than honest, I would question, “Aren’t they corrupt, though?” Often the response was, “They’re all corrupt. At least maybe this one will get some work done.” (I think every President since the mid-80’s is either in jail, or has been.)
In addition to the corruption, there’s tremendous inequality in Peru. Enormous wealth concentrated in a very small group of people who, sadly, have shown little desire to help the rest of the (mostly poor) population participate in Peru’s economic success the last few decades. While government officials are more interested in joining that small group at the top (by plundering the country) than serving their constituents. Little progress has been made on education, healthcare, infrastructure . . . (I guess the same could be said for much of Latin America. Why is this?!)
Anyway, Peru has a new President, Castillo, who seems to have read and now wants to copy Chavez’s playbook (which, no doubt, Chavez copied from the Castros in Cuba). It’s still early, and I really hope I’m wrong.
The people we got to know while in Peru want what all of us want—safety, opportunities, a better life for their kids. Obviously, the Venezuelan approach is not answer. (Turns out the only “revolution” Castro / Chavez / Maduro were interested in is one that would allow them to gain and hold power so they could enrich themselves and their allies.)
What is the answer? It’s a complicated question, of course. How about, for starters, an honest competent government.
Enjoyed this, Roger! We recently moved back to the US from Lima, Peru. (My wife is Peruvian.) Of course, many Venezuelans have fled to Peru, mostly the capital, the last few years. The stories we heard from some were heartbreaking.
I’m very worried about Peru now! Many of the same conditions exist that allowed Chavez to come to power . . . Corruption at every level of government. In fact, it’s so prevalent that Peruvians have just accepted it. I used to conduct my own “poll” around every election. When presented with a candidate who was known to be less than honest, I would question, “Aren’t they corrupt, though?” Often the response was, “They’re all corrupt. At least maybe this one will get some work done.” (I think every President since the mid-80’s is either in jail, or has been.)
In addition to the corruption, there’s tremendous inequality in Peru. Enormous wealth concentrated in a very small group of people who, sadly, have shown little desire to help the rest of the (mostly poor) population participate in Peru’s economic success the last few decades. While government officials are more interested in joining that small group at the top (by plundering the country) than serving their constituents. Little progress has been made on education, healthcare, infrastructure . . . (I guess the same could be said for much of Latin America. Why is this?!)
Anyway, Peru has a new President, Castillo, who seems to have read and now wants to copy Chavez’s playbook (which, no doubt, Chavez copied from the Castros in Cuba). It’s still early, and I really hope I’m wrong.
The people we got to know while in Peru want what all of us want—safety, opportunities, a better life for their kids. Obviously, the Venezuelan approach is not answer. (Turns out the only “revolution” Castro / Chavez / Maduro were interested in is one that would allow them to gain and hold power so they could enrich themselves and their allies.)
What is the answer? It’s a complicated question, of course. How about, for starters, an honest competent government.