Recovering Venezuela

What makes Venezuela a country worthy of its recovery? An exploration on Venezuela’s unlimited beauty! How to recover a rich country from its ashes, from the point of view of those who had to migrate due to the How was Venezuela crisis. before the crisis? A special article made by

historian Maximillian Kopp.

Photography Courtesy of: Efrén Hernández Arias (Photographer)

About The Author Photography and Information

My name is Valeria Barbery. I was born in All photographs are mine unless showed Venezuela 14 years ago, but I’ve spent three otherwise. References for the images and years of my life living in Colombia. I—with the information that don’t belong to me is assessment of several professionals— included in the Personal Project Report. idealized, designed, edited and produced this magazine. Truth is, since I started living in Photography used in the cover is courtesy of Colombia I’ve realized things that I wouldn’t (from top to Bottom): have thought about if I hadn’t left the country; 1. http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/n but since I started living outside my country, I oticias/entretenimiento/15-planes- have had one dream: returning to Venezuela. reconciliarse-caracas/ After three years of spending sleepless nights 2. http://viajesyturismosuntravel.com/t thinking about Venezuela, you may say I have ag/estado-merida/ a strange addiction to the country. Still, I don’t 3. http://divescover.com/diving/venezu feel a tad sorry about it. Dreaming about ela/los-roques returning is easy, but actually returning can be 4. http://nicolasveracierta.org/nicolasve one of the hardest things. The whole world raciertaedanos-de-coro/ may be acquainted with the fact that (From left to right) Venezuela is in crisis, and that people have gotten out of the country because they needed 5. https://cronistasanfelipe.wordpress.c to do so. But I’m not ready to lose hope, and I om/tag/el-turpial/ know that the only way I may be able to sleep 6. https://www.flickr.com/photos/morf at night is to do something. To stand up. To ula/6346616358 take action. To dream. And that’s why I made 7. https://elselvatico.blogspot.com.co/2 this magazine. This that you’re reading is my 014/11/araguaney-el-arbol-de-la-flor- heart. My little but very important grain of de-oro.html sand—that I—with infinite affection, give to 8. http://variquichocolateria.com/cacao my country. This is Recovering Venezuela, -venezolano.html made by a Venezuelan exile. I invite you to 9. http://www.diariodelosandes.com/in grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and enjoy this dex.php?r=site/noticiaagencia&id=23 journey through my soul. 66

Acknowledgments

Special Thanks to Mariana Carolina Fahnert, Graphic Designer from the magazine “Todo en Domingo”, for aiding me with the magazine design. To Franciest Poller, Producer and Graphic Editor from the magazine “Todo en Domingo”, for assisting me in the whole process of constructing this idea and introducing me to contacts I will never forget. To Efrén Hernández for giving me his own high quality photographic work, and to all the interviewees. All this couldn’t have happened without your collaboration.

Photography Courtesy of: Efrén Hernández Arias (Photographer) Recovering Venezuela

Why “Recovering Venezuela”?

After knowing that what I wanted to do to help my country was a magazine, I realized that I had many topics to explore. I knew from the beginning that what I wanted to do was show reasons why Venezuela should be recovered, by displaying all the beautiful things that the country had, and also all the resources that make it such a wonderful country. But even though I knew I could make infinite articles showing Venezuela’s beauty, I knew it wasn’t enough. To complete my dream, I had to do something else. I had to show how Venezuela can be recovered, and that’s when the idea came in. As a part of the magazine, I wanted to include statements from Venezuelans like me, who had to leave the country without wanting to; and it occurred me that I could interview these Venezuelans for answers on what they could do to recover their country. And why recover Venezuela?

This magazine, as briefly explained

previously, is divided in two main parts: Why recover Venezuela and how to recover Venezuela.

The first part, which begins on the following page, shows first how Venezuela was before, and how it is now, then it shows Venezuela’s natural and urban beauty: the country’s landscapes, touristic landmarks, and its world records. Yes, Guinness World Records. We have a lot of those. This part also shows the natural resources that makes the country unique; you’d be surprised how many precious resources Venezuela has. When you finish reading the whole part, you’ll have an idea why Venezuela should be saved, and you should be ready to read the next part, how to save Venezuela. Happy reading!

The election and arrival to the presidency of Hugo Venezuela’s Golden Years Rafael Chávez Frías on February 2, 1999. These enezuela’s Golden Years represent a very years are also known as The Era of long period of time in Venezuelan Bipartisanship, because there were two political history. As the phrase “Golden Years” parties that had the control of the country, Acción V suggests, in this period of time Venezuela Democratica and Copei, which were represented was a very successful country, and what I want to by important leaders who dominated the political show in this article is that the country has the scene of these years, like Rómulo Betancourt, potential to be successful, if it’s in the right hands. father of the Venezuelan democracy, his right This article is the result of a recorded interview I hand Carlos Andrés Perez, and of course the had with Maximiliam Kopp, a Venezuelan History father of the Copei party, Rafael Caldera. In teacher at Don Bosco School, in Barcelona, addition, these 40 years are also known as The Venezuela. He’s also the host of different radio Fourth Republic, a period in which representative programs in the Venezuelan East, and is currently democracy was present in the country, and the chronicler and official historian of the Urbaneja strong political system was stable. municipality in Anzoateui State, Venezuela. Mr. Kopp owns a degree in history and graduated at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, in Caracas. The following is my translation from Spanish of Mr. Kopp’s remarks to me.

Maximiliam and I

Photography courtesy of http://janvidal100.blogspot.com.co/20 10/06/un-contrato-la-venezolana.html

“Economically speaking, during those 40 years there was economic stability, a growth of infrastructure, of the economy as such; with low inflation and low unemployment, especially in the first governments of Rómulo Betancourt and Raúl Leoni, and later during the presidency of Rafael Caldera, in which economic stability continued. But even so, because of international factors such as the Persian Gulf War, and general OPEC problems that caused the price of oil to rise, there was an oil boom at the end of Rafael Caldera's first presidency and the beginning of the first government of Carlos Andrés Pérez. During this stage, mainly from 1974 to 1978, Venezuela lived a period where it was known as the Saudi Venezuela, because Venezuelan oil prices rose “The most successful stage in the history of from 2.10 to 16.30 dollars (Prieto, 2012); And Venezuela is understood to be the years 1958 to Venezuela received an immense amount of 1999. This period is known as the era of money, which was invested mainly in improving representative democracy in the country. It goes and building most of the country's infrastructure precisely from January 23, 1958, after the fall of network, and also was used to nationalize the oil the dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jiménez, until industry, which was present in those years of economic prosperity and incredible growth.

Venezuela was receiving immigrants from all over highest in Latin America, Making Venezuela an the world. Based on tourism, the bridge over Lake extremely rich country. Maracaibo is completed, the bridge over the “Likewise, in agricultural matters, Venezuela had Orinoco is built, and the idea of the metro is a great advance during this period. Following the developed and constructed. National parks were beginning of democratic activity in Venezuela, the open by decree; And also the education and process was begun that is called the Agrarian health in the country is based on having built an Reform. This process allowed the creation of the immense amount of hospitals, schools and National Agrarian Institute, and in addition, this universities. During this period, the largest institution legalized the inheritance of the land of number of hospitals were built in the history of many peasants and owners who possessed some Venezuela. Plans were initiated, such as the Gran space. These individuals were given a lot of credit Mariscal de Ayacucho scholarship scheme, which to finance the production of all kinds of allowed Venezuelans to study abroad; education agricultural products, and although Venezuela became accessible for all social classes, the imported more than it exported, these products subject of sport was developed in depth, among were of great value to Venezuelan agriculture. others.

Photography courtesy of https://lacantarida.com/tag/petroleo/

Photography courtesy of http://historiadeacariguaaraureyvenezuela.blogspot.com.co/ 2012/01/reforma-agraria-en-america-latina_30.html

“In summary, it can be said that during the Fourth

Republic Venezuela experienced a period of “All this prosperity continues until 1983, when, economic prosperity, due to the famous oil on the famous black Friday, Venezuela has to industry that shaped the economy in such a devalue its Bolívar because there were many more successful way that the country obtained an expenses than revenues, and the prices of the oil immense amount of money. This capital that the lowered; from there begins the fall of the oil gave to the country was invested in many Venezuelan economy that lasts until the present areas, among these is health, education, sports, time, but the concrete decline starts since 1999, social security and agriculture; And this allows when everything becomes worst. However, it is growth and economic stability that made noteworthy that during this stage oil production Venezuela a rich country, full of tourists and increases as never before seen in Venezuela, foreigners looking for new opportunities in a which brings the country success in all its country so prosperous. All this begins to decline economic areas. when the change of government puts a stop to economic stability, and so far we are witnessing “In terms of gross domestic product, during this that decline. Despite high oil prices during the fourth republic, it remained high thanks to the Chávez administration, there was no growth income that the oil industry brought to the beyond what was witnessed during the stage of country. It can even be said that during these representative democracy.” years the gross domestic product was one of the

Venezuela Right Now

an you imagine such a beautiful country break down to its ashes? I, my Cfamily, my friends and all the other Venezuelans have experienced the tragic breakdown of our loved Venezuela in the past few years.

Photography courtesy of http://www.bbc.com/ One of the aspects that needs to be studied, is the inflation in Venezuela. According to the Colombian economist Diego Otero Prada, political crises brought by the Bolivarian Government have influenced inflation, as can be seen in the years 2002, 2003 and 2013 Photography courtesy of http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ mainly. The inflation was coming under

control, with a tendency to decline, but the According to The Economist, Venezuelans political situation has become very unstable, have been driven to near-desperation by and is causing economic difficulties that were shortages of food, medicines and other basic reflected in low growth and high inflation. goods and by inflation of around 700%. According to The Guardian, Venezuela is Millions of Venezuelans are having to skip at suffering the worst economic crisis in its least one meal a day. It breaks my heart history, and I had to presence this crisis with having to travel to my homeland looking to my own eyes. I remember, around 2007, see my family and encountering with the sad when my dad gave me 100 Bolivars, and I felt reality of having to eat grains because there is like I could buy everything. In that time, a no meat, or going through the aisles of the dollar would cost you 4.30 Bolivars, but right supermarket and finding racks filled up with now, the dollar is currently in 1159,72 the same product. Food is now being Bolivars, according to DolarToday. Imagine transported under armed guard, and basic having to buy a kilo of chicken for 5.000 necessities are being rationed. People have to Bolivars, but having a salary of 18.000 queue for hours and sometimes overnight on Bolivars a month. their assigned days to receive essentials like rice and cooking oil, and sometimes when they get to the end of the line the product they were waiting for is over.

Photography courtesy of http://www.eluniversal.com/

According to one recent poll, 84% of the are very different, but they all have something population would vote to remove Mr. Maduro in common: they all left the country not from office. But the regime is maneuvering to because they wanted to, but because they ensure they do not get that chance, or that it needed to, they all dream about going back to happens too late to trigger a fresh their homeland, and will do anything that is presidential election. Despite economic in their power to make it possible. catastrophe and popular rage, the government is finding ways to cling to power. The government, according to Juan Miguel Matheus; who is a deputy to the National Assembly for the state Carabobo, has prohibited us of our constitutional rights, and also has brainwashed the society into thinking that freedom and social justice are antagonistic or exclusionary realities, which must be chosen manically between one or the other. Photography courtesy of http://www.panorama.com.ve/ There’s where the purpose of this magazine comes in: How can we, Venezuelans exiled from our roots, get back what is ours, and recover Venezuela once and for all. Some even have started to come up with solutions even inside the country, as an example we have the economist Alejandro Padron, who suggests that one way out of the crisis is to Photography courtesy of http://www.economist.com/ deepen the oil side of the Venezuelan The main consequence of the crisis are the economy, because it is the only product that, millions of Venezuelans like me that had to from the economic point of view, offers the migrate because our future in the country is country greater comparative advantages than nonexistent. A while ago I heard about a book any other product of the rest of the economy. called “La Voz de la Diáspora Venezolana”, And even though some have already lost hope and what Tomas Páez expresses in that book in their motherland, there are others that are can’t be more precise about what already working outside the country with the Venezuelans out of the country feel about purpose of returning to their homeland, and having to migrate. The book captures the make Venezuela the country it was before the perceptions, emotions, interests, nostalgia, crisis. and the voice of those who have left Venezuela, due to the crisis. In the book you can find the perceptions, narratives and opinions of the Venezuelan diaspora: the reasons for the decision to emigrate, the social, academic and family profile, the degree of integration into the country who have chosen to live, willingness to return home, the conditions that would make it possible, and how they visualize their future relationship with Venezuela. All these voices Photography courtesy of http://www.laguarimba.org/

Tourism in Venezuela Sun and Beach Venezuela, a land of grace located north of South ven though the country is actually in an America, is the gateway to the Caribbean Sea, economic crisis, tourism in Venezuela has offering more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline always been one of the strongest pillars in with beaches of white sand and crystalline waters. E the country’s economy, particularly These beaches, besides being uniquely beautiful, because of its favorable geographical position, the offer a large set of aquatic activities, like windsurf variety of landscapes, rich flora and fauna, and its and kitesurf. privileged tropical climate, which allows you to enjoy each region (especially the beaches) every single day of the year.

Photography courtesy of http://caritasvenezuela.org.ve/

Photography courtesy of http://isla-margarita- turismovacaciones.blogspot.com/ El Yaque beach, Margarita Island

The Llanos According to Duque Brito Ahidé, who owns a doctorate in administration, a tourist destination Venezuelan Llanos are known for having the most is composed of a number of attributes, which may extensive nature observation areas of South be based on natural resources, created, abstract, America, where you can perform various or a set of facilities and tourist services targeted to activities such as hiking, ecotourism, rural meet the needs of tourists or potential consumers, tourism, among others. and Venezuela owns tourist destinations that comply with every single one of these characteristics. Venezuela has everything you look for when you want to travel, from the unique landscapes, to the astonishing places that deserve world records. As Marysela Morillo affirms, during the last decades, tourism as an economic activity in Venezuela has experienced surprising rates of growth that exceed even traditional sectors in some places of the world, reason why this activity acquires greater relevance worldwide. So, I Photography courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org suggest that we recover Venezuela to recuperate La Gran Sabana the jewel that is hidden within all actual conflict, and exploit the beauty of the country.

The Jungle The city of the Libertador In the Venezuelan Amazonas jungle, you can see "... A thousand leagues may I stretch my arms, but more than 8,000 species of plants, many of them my heart will always be in Caracas: There I unknown, and countless orchids. Its fauna is received life, there I must surrender it; and my absolutely rich and wild. It is part of the largest Caraqueños will always be my first compatriots. reserve of oxygen on the planet, the green lung of This feeling will not abandon me ..." -Simon the world, the most precious treasure of all times. Bolívar, September 26, 1825.

Photography courtesy of http://vzlaaescala.blogspot.com/ Photography courtesy of http://www.mintur.gob.ve/

Amazonas Jungle Plaza Bolívar Mountain Caracas is a city that is worth enjoying to the maximum, it shows Venezuela’s urban beauty in As the Ministry of Popular Power for Tourism its best. A tour in this city immerses you in its past describes it, the Venezuelan Andes is a splendid and recent history, an intense culture that can be and multifaceted region that allows you to enjoy seen in the streets, an excellent set of local the majestic Andean Cordillera of South America, cuisine, and we cannot forget about the course in with peaks that surpass the 4000 meters covered the childhood and early years of the Liberator, with snow that you can observe throughout the Simon Bolivar, all guarded by a 2144 meters year. Between its páramos you will find above sea level tall mountain, El Avila. unequaled towns that are living testimony of Venezuelan culture and human warmth, ideal environment to make tourism in full contact with nature.

Photography courtesy of http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/ Caracas

Photography courtesy of http://www.mintur.gob.ve/

Mérida

Venezuela’s Landscapes and Photography courtesy of https://www.buzzfeed.com

Landmarks

hen I talk about Venezuela’s beauty the first thing that comes to my mind are landscapes, and these are also the W first thing tourists look for. Venezuela is blessed by Mother Nature, owning forests, savannahs, tepuys, moorlands, deserts, rainforests and reefs. Who wouldn’t want to visit in a country that owns all of that? Venezuela is also considered one of the Megadiverse countries, Another landscape in Venezuela is the desert. The and its beauty and majesty is something that Médanos de Coro National Park, is the only desert attracts the tourists. One thing I like about the in Venezuela, but is truly beautiful. This national landscapes and landmarks, is that there is one park preserves the largest desert in the Caribbean just around the corner, here are some of the coast and is the protected area closest to the Gulf breathtaking landscapes that Venezuela owns. of Venezuela. My favorite landscapes, are the beaches. Photography courtesy of http://www.ciudaddisfrute.com/ Venezuelan beaches are the most beautiful I have ever seen, with their clear waters and white sand, a day at the beach becomes a day in paradise. The Mochima National Park has one of the most beautiful beaches. Its beauty is diverse, containing spectacular beaches, and a combination of singular mountains that gracefully kiss the sea.

Photography courtesy of http://caraotadigital.net/

We can never forget the beautiful Gran Sabana. This region belongs the Canaima National Park, which offers unique landscapes with rivers, waterfalls, valleys, forests, Tepuys and a view that you definitely must see before you die.

Also, the archipelago of Los Roques, or The Los Photography courtesy of http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/ Roques National Park, is just an unbelievable landscape. Formed by a barrier of 36 km which includes about 50 islands and more than 300 sandbars with white crystal waters, this place has great diversity and scenic beauty. Guarding the capital at its feet, the Naiguatá Peak characterized by maintaining the cultural imprint is the highest of the Cordillera de la Costa. It is of their origin. This cute little town offers nice located in the central-western sector of El Ávila cozy posadas, and the extended line of typical National Park, north of the city of Caracas, Venezuelan food. providing people with the full view of the city. Photography courtesy of http://rumbasvenezuela.com/

Margarita Island, also called the "Pearl of the Caribbean", is located southeast of the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela's northeast. The island became

Photography courtesy of http://www.revistaxtrema.com/ one of the mayor touristic destination in the country, attracting visitors with its unique beaches and landmarks. Why going to Hawaii if Another amazing peak in Venezuela, is the Bolivar you have Margarita? Peak. It is the highest mountain in Venezuela, reaching a height of 4,983 meters. It is located Photography courtesy of http://www.apatear.com/ within the Sierra Nevada National Park, in the state of Merida, and is one of the Five White Eagles crowning the Venezuelan Andes.

Photography courtesy of http://gelvez.com.ve/

Playa Parguito Located in the El Guacharo National Park, the cavern or cave El Guacharo is carved in the sedimentary rocks formed 130 million years ago in the secondary era of an ancient sea. In this particular cave not only inhabits one of the rarest birds in the world, but also an extensive range of fauna and flora that can only be spotted in the area.

Photography courtesy of www.worldtravelserver.com

The Colonia Tovar was founded in 1843 by a group of German and Dutch immigrants seeking refuge from the First World War. It is

Venezuela’s World Records The second record would be the Lake Maracaibo. Located in the state of Zulia, with hen I talk about Venezuela’s world maximum extensions 110 kilometers wide records, I’m not talking about the and up to 160 long, and an area of Wworld’s largest arepa, or the two approximately 13,820 square kilometers, the consecutive miss universe crowns Lake Maracaibo would be the largest in Latin achieved, or the ice cream parlor with more America and the 19th among the largest lakes flavors, or the man with the biggest feet, or in the world, as well as one of the most the biggest amount of hugs given. I’m talking antiques. It has great oil wealth, and its about the unique natural curiosities, and the where most of the country's oil production is amazing Venezuelans, because Venezuela is a extracted. Lake Maracaibo is often defined as country recognized not only for its natural a semi-enclosed and brackish bay, but is more wonders, but also for its people, who are commonly considered a lake. always in search of highlighting their country, in terms of excellence. Here are some of Venezuela’s world records. First of all, there is the Angel Falls. According to Guinness World Records, The Angell Falls is located in the western part of the Canaima National Park, and with its 979 meters of free fall, The Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world, and the most beautiful too. To put the majesty of Angel Falls into perspective, consider its height in relation to some of the Photography courtesy of http://www.taringa.net/ world’s other famous waterfalls. Niagara General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge over Lake Falls, on the Canadian-American border, Maracaibo measures a height of 50 m, nearly 20 times shorter. And southern Africa’s Victoria Falls This record is known as “The eternal drops 108 m itself. The Salto Angel’s aesthetic thunderstorm”. Catatumbo Lightning It’s has also inspired Hollywood in the making of called that way because the occurrence of the many films, like the movie Up, where the phenomenon lasts 240 days a year, from grandmother’s dream was to have a house at April to November, from 8 to 10 hours the top of the Angel Falls. And also the movies overnight. The Guinness organization Point Break, What Dreams May Come, and delivered the January 28 of 2014 a Avatar. certification which recognizes the Catatumbo Lightning, a unique meteorological phenomenon that is generated south of Lake Maracaibo, Zulia, as the highest lighting concentration in the world, with a record of 18 to 60 lightning bolts per minute. Thanks to the frequency and brightness of its rays, visible even from 400 kilometers away, the thunderstorm has been used as a guide by

Photography courtesy of http://www.hike-venezuela.com/

Photography courtesy of http://www.hike-venezuela.com/ sailors since colonial times, earning the shaped like a table-top mountain. They have nickname "Lighthouse of Maracaibo". vertical walls hundreds of meters high, especially Roraima, that is 2,810 meters high, making it the tallest and largest Tepuy in the world. Besides being very rare, Tepuys have a large selection of uncommon fauna and flora. Roraima’s majesty inspired authors to write many novels, like The Lost World, and Ciudad de las Bestias.

Photography courtesy of http://www.panorama.com.ve/ Another record Venezuela has that you might don’t know about, is the tallest statue in Latin Photography courtesy of http://aiesec.org.ve/ America. In the state of Trujillo, we can find the Peace Monument, a sculpture of 46, 72 In terms of fauna, Venezuela also has rare and meters, the highest in Latin America and the exotic species. Did you know that the largest highest statue dedicated to the Virgin Mary in spider in the world is originally from the world. It is 38 meters higher than the Venezuela? According to El Universal, The stature of Christ the Redeemer of Brazil, and species Theraphosa Blondi, better known as even 46 meters taller than the Statue of the Giant Tarantula, is considered as the Liberty in New York. The site, located 1,600 largest spider as it can reach 30 cm between meters from sea level, is located in La Peña de the ends of its spread legs and weigh more la Virgen, between mountains surrounded by than 100 grams. It can be found in Guyana dense fog that attracts tourists and families and Brazil, but mostly in Venezuela. In some looking to enjoy a natural landscape. places in the country they are hunted and eaten, for example, in the village of the Photography courtesy of http://www.mintur.gob.ve/ Yanomami, in the state of Amazonas.

Photography courtesy of http://www.eluniversal.com/

Venezuela also has something that no one else has. Roraima, also known as Roraima Tepuy or Cerro Roraima, is a Tepuy located in the Eastern sector of the National Park Canaima. The Tepuys are vertical mountains

Natural Gas Venezuela’s Natural Resources The 5.1 trillion m3 natural gas reserves in nother reason why Venezuela is worth Venezuela are the second largest in the Western recovering, it’s because the country is Hemisphere. In 2010, the total daily production A packed with natural resources. Venezuela of natural gas in the country was averaged to be itself has too much potential is sad to see the 3.3 million cubic meters. The total amount of conditions of the country right now, when just in natural gas produced in the country in 2010 was 2011 the GDP of the country was $378.9 billion 29,500 million cubic meters. According to Nelson dollars, thanks to the success of the oil industry. Hernandez and Ruben Caro, Venezuela has Venezuela has rich resources of gold, nickel, iron enough natural gas resources to transform itself ore, steel, diamond, alumina, coal, bauxite, into a Gas Power country. natural gas, and the most important of all, petroleum. These are some of the most important natural resources the country has. Gold According to the Azo Mining organization, the country has 365.8 Metric Tons (Mt) of gold reserves, which makes it the world’s 15th largest gold producer according to a report by the World Gold Council published in August 2011. Gold Photography courtesy of http://www.gazprom.com/ reserves in the country account for nearly 61% of the country’s total mineral reserves. Oil Did you know that Venezuela’s oil reserves can fill up 42 million Olympic size pools? The Venezuelan reserves are worth 54.8 billion dollars, producing 2.4 million barrels per day, according to OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. According to World Atlas, internationally acclaimed journal, Venezuela has the largest crude oil reserves in the world, with over 298.4 billion barrels of proven reserves. Also, according to Petroleum Photography courtesy of http://www.nosabesnada.com/ Intelligence Weekly, PDVSA, Venezuela’s main Coal oil company, is the world fourth largest firm in the The Paso Diablo coal mine in Venezuela produces oil business: in 2008, this company had an 7.5 million metric income of $126.4 billion. tons per year of pulverized coal Photography courtesy of http://efectococuyo.com/ injection (PCI). The Guasare coal basin has allowed the Carbones Del Guasare Photography courtesy of Company to http://www.wyomingmining.org/ access nearly 175 Mt of coal reserves in the country.

Iron Being the second abundant mineral resource in Venezuela, it is the metal of greater use and industrial utility, constituting one of the great contributions of economic development of the nation. According to PDVSA, Cerro Bolívar Reserves, the largest in the country, are estimated at more than 200 million tons ore, with a ferric content that exceeds 64%. Guayana has the largest iron reserves and the only ones in the country that have been exploited on a large scale. Its deposits constitute what has been called Photography courtesy of venezuelanalysis.com "Fertile Belt of the Imataca Formation", extended along a belt of about 500 Kilometers in length by about 80 km in width.

Photography courtesy of http://www.pdv.com/lexico/museo/minerales/hierro.htm

Cacao

Did you know Swiss chocolate, the best chocolate in the world, is manufactured with Venezuelan cacao? According to Maria Quintero and Ligia Garcia, both economist from the University of Los Andes, from the late 16th century until the early years of the 19th century, cocoa in Venezuela represented the first item of production and export of the economy, enjoying a remarkable appreciation in the international market. For many years, Venezuela only cultivated Cocoa with outstanding attributes of quality, and is actually known as the best cacao in the world! (Crespo, 2016).

And…how can we

Recovering a country is surely very difficult, especially if you don’t live in that country. After analyzing Venezuela’s history, how it was before, and how it got into crisis; as well as taking into account the history of countries that actually got out of a crisis, I’ve come to realize that Venezuela has to be saved by Venezuelans. So, if I wanted to save Venezuela, I had to ask Venezuelans for help, right? The first step into looking for possible choices of Venezuelans that could give me the answers I needed on “How to save Venezuela?” was to identify what I was looking or in an interviewees. As you are going to be able to see in the interviews, the people I chose to interview aren’t experts on the theme, they aren’t politicians or investors, they are normal Venezuelan exiles, but they all want their country back. And they still love it infinitely. They are hardworking people that left their country without another option, looking for opportunities in succeeding. But they also comply with certain characteristics, since in the specifications for my interviews I wanted them to all be owners of a business or employed in a business, because these people are the really hard-working lads. Who knows? maybe you’ll cry reading just like I did recording the interviews.

Recover Venezuela?

What you will find in the following twenty pages is very lengthy, since each of the interviewees had very different backgrounds and therefore very different contributions; so you may want to know something about what you will be reading subsequently. There are 10 interviews, and even though they had only one format of questions, it developed according to the answers that the interviewees offered. There is a very important question that holds the purpose of the magazine: What do you think you can do to help Venezuela get out of the crisis? And according to the several answers acquired on that question, the rescue plan was made. Yes, a rescue plan. Like those in James Bond movies. Being able to read the contributions that Venezuelans like me have to offer for their country isn’t the only knowledge that comes in hand with the interviews. You are also able to know what several Venezuelans provide as a story: their lives, how they have overcome problems, how they have acquired knowledge over their experience in another country, and also how Venezuelans remain attached to their motherland. But, enough chit chat, enough telling, let me show you that what I say about Venezuelans is true!

Photography Courtesy of: Efrén Hernández Arias (Photographer)

I got out of the country when Erhard Cerny Would you like to start the the crisis wasn’t as it is now, I same business but in mean, when I got out we could Erhard Cerny is a petroleum Venezuela? see what was coming but we engineer. He’s 43 years old weren’t at that point yet. You No. the situations in and is actually working in could find food, medicine, Venezuela are not given to both the oil industry in insecurity wasn’t at such high actually install a business, of Colombia and also running levels. We were just foreseeing any kind, in Venezuela. Still, in a Venezuelan food that something bad was the future when the economic restaurant in Bogotá called coming so we decided to leave. and social situation in the Chorizos y Picadas country becomes better, I Why did you start a would like to start a business Erhard and I business out of in Venezuela since the market Venezuela? / Started there is more open, and I also working out of miss my country, but many Venezuela? things would have to happen for me to go back… Do you dream about going back to Venezuela? I’m from Maracaibo, and When and why did you when I lived there I thought leave Venezuela? that the gaitas were a cultural Of course, when I left delay. Now, I listen to the In 2012, when the situation Venezuela I had to look for a gaitas and I start to cry. That’s was good in terms of economy kind of business or job that how much I love my country and social interests, but would provide the money I and wish I could go back. thinking about my son’s needed, so I started some education, who was 4 at that businesses. This is my third Has the crisis affected time, we decided that one. The thing is that I am ex- you in any direct way? Venezuela wasn’t going to be PDVSA, I worked in the oil All my life. I started to affect the same in the future that the industry, so when I got here me since the PDVSA crisis, situation was going to get the first thing I did was look which was when I lost my job. worse, so we decided to leave for a job in the Colombian oil Then I was two years in to Colombia. industry, so me and other Maracaibo, jobless, and then I corporates created two Would you have left had to move from Maracaibo, businesses which had to be Venezuela before the which is located in the western stopped when the oil crisis side of the country, to the crisis? came in. I would say that the eastern states so I could stay in area of having a restaurant is NO! I’ve travelled to many Venezuela. Then in 2012 I had not as easy as the oil industry, countries in the planet, and I to leave; so of course the crisis haven’t seen one that is as I’m right now in both business has affected me. beautiful as Venezuela. (oil and food).

difficult, but I think it can be reinstall the society of the What do you think you done. When the political and Venezuela we had before; can do to help economic crisis ceases, I’m and I assure you, that if we Venezuela out of the sure that many Venezuelans, achieve that in the society including me, would go back crisis? living the crisis, we would to the country, and that would be much closer to recover Look, many of us have produce a big change, since we our country. thought about many all want to rebuild a country, things, especially in all this and we will start by trading the time that one has been What are you willing to resentment people have into affected by that, but the do? hopes and willingness. problem is that whoever you think might be helping I always contribute to my Do you love your Venezuela in some way or country as much as I can. At motherland? another. They always have least I am in the association AsoVenCol, in which people I love my motherland because their own interests. As an example we have the like me always contribute to it has everything: we have the opposition: they do not the country in one way or landscapes, the beautiful agree, everyone walks by another giving medicine, food, women, the autonomy of its their own, when you could campaigns or even money to beliefs and traditions, we have the association so they can get all the minerals, the oil, the see that they had cornered the government they it to Venezuela. I have already unity, and behind all the participated in marches, an oil started to discuss some problems we are living, I’ve dialogues that lead to strike that got me out of my never seen a country as nothing, etc. It is there job, I have already sacrificed beautiful as Venezuela. when you realize that, if my family; and I’m willing to they failed, what can one do anything in my hands to help my country while being in do, being a mere mortal? So, I’ve always thought that Colombia. we cannot help with the Do you think that you can economic and political produce a significant crisis in the country, because we don’t have any change? political power, but The problem with the people is something we can do is Venezuela is that they don’t help with the moral crisis take radical actions. The that is present in the people that protest are always country, which, in my the high class people, and opinion, is more unfortunately high class important. What happens individuals cannot overthrow right now in Venezuela, a government, only the people and has been going on for a from Caracas can, and the few long time, is that people that actually want to be always live with resentment, being harassed or even without wanting to work, “bought” for a bag of food that complaining every day, the government gives them. wanted to graduate faster; Changing someone’s way of and what we exiles need to thinking is and will always do is change that mentality,

Yanira Quintero it would be better, if things there when I decided to were different, and what form the business, which I Yanira Quintero is a opportunities would I have followed when I came to Beautician and abroad. I did not leave the Bogota. cosmetologist. She’s 29 country because I wanted to Would you like to start the years old and is currently do it, but because I felt that same business but in working in a massage in another country I would Venezuela? parlor called Body Relax, have more opportunities. At in Bogotá. that time the crisis was not I love my job, and I love so noticeable but it was what I do, but I would like known to come in the to have a Spa in Venezuela. future. Then my boyfriend It would be great to be able and I decided to leave the to enjoy what I do but in my country to see what would country, I would really love happen. At that time we to grow and form a better were in Chile, and every day business in Venezuela. Yanira Quintero with the that I lived in Chile I famous Venezuela thought about returning, comedian Emilia Lovera. What do you think

because although we could buy a property, and we were you can do to help Photography courtesy of www.instagram.com/p/BLcDsGljOAS/?taken working there, I felt empty. Venezuela out of -by=bodyrelaxbogota the crisis? Why did you start a When and why did you business out of Look, I lived in El Tigre, leave Venezuela? Venezuela? / Started Anzoategui state; and working out of there was a mayor I left Venezuela seven years named Paraqueima. ago, with my boyfriend. I Venezuela? What I liked most about left because of the lack of this mayor is that he did opportunities in the country a total cleaning: he to have an apartment, "cleaned" all that was because prices were already bad, and that is what I rising and our salary was think should happen to not enough, so we couldn’t the country now. We afford the life we wanted to Photography courtesy of must cleanse the evil, the have, even though we were www.instagram.com/p/BLcDsGljOAS/?taken -by=bodyrelaxbogota corruption, the both working. insecurity, and above all, Would you have left I finished my studies in the poor minds; because at this moment what is Venezuela before the Chile, and immediately crisis? Did you want to after completing them I abundant in Venezuela, is the poor mentality. leave or not? decided to look for work, but because of my lack of

At that time I had this experience, there were not intrigue and curiosity to many opportunities for know how to live outside, if professional work. It was

How is this cleaning because we have too many improve could change those good things that no one else thoughts for an ideology full done? Starting with us, we must be spokesmen, has, and that is what we of hope, full of desire to get and at the same time, should teach people: behind ahead, wanting to protest corruption, there is a and encourage more have spokesmen there. Our family, friends, beautiful country. people; Venezuela would fill again with light, and acquaintances, we must If you have the give them hope and although this does not make opportunity, would you patience, we have to say the crisis stop, if it makes us apply these solutions "go out on the street, do more united, as a nation, there? Why yes or why and united, we can do much not stay silent", and we must also give them not? more.

strength, assure them From the day I left, to this Do you love your that change will happen, day, I have dreamed of motherland? because I have faith, and returning to my country. If I know that Venezuela is there is a change of Living out of my country for going to be what it was so many years has given me government, I would be one before. But we have to of the first to return, a lot of knowledge, but I also start giving our hope and especially because at that realized that like my support to those who live country, there are none. time, Venezuelans who are in the country, so that still there will need all the Venezuela is a unique they don’t lose faith and support of all those people country, with unique keep fighting, keep who left, hope that the people, with the best

working, studying, for a coming future will be more culture. better country. brilliant, the patience to wait for that future, and the What are you willing to strength to take action and I wouldn’t do? begin to rebuild the change to my From Colombia, I think that country. “ the greatest support I can country for Do you think that you can give is on the part of produce a significant morality, defending my NOTHING in the change? country from anyone who world. speaks badly of him, always Changing the mentality of drawing the positive from these people would take a Venezuela, because lot of time and work, ” although we are in a because they are living a horrible situation, where reality and we a very most people think different one. However, this Venezuela is a lost case, we would bring a giant change, must always be positive, because if all these people because Venezuela is an who live there thinking that amazing country, that there is no future convinced should not be like that, that the country will never

Etgarlin Daza Bogota, but I wanted to get not want to have a business out. But I didn’t want to like this anywhere, it's Etgarlin Daza is a social leave the country forever. I complicated. However, I communicator. She’s 26 wanted to go out and to see would like to return so I can years old and is currently something new, but because work as a social working at the nail spa El of the crisis I had to leave in communicator there. Every Esmalte in Bogotá. a hurry to find a job, day I get up and I think this something very difficult to is temporary, and that do now in Venezuela when someday I'll go back to you just finished college. I Venezuela to work there; want to return to Venezuela although that day is not in the future. tomorrow. Etgarlin (Left) with Why did you start a What do you think you her partner business out of can do to help Yanira Venezuela out of the (Right)/ Venezuela? / Started working out of crisis?

Venezuela? I, being only 26 years Photography courtesy of https://www.instagram.com/systenergy/ When I arrived here I old, think I have seen When and why did you started to work in Tennis, very little. But being a leave Venezuela? the clothing store. But I social communicator, I think that to make a I left Venezuela on didn’t like that job. After a change you must start September 7, 2015. That while, my cousin's with the mentality that was after finishing my boyfriend who lives here Venezuelans have right career as a social offered me a job in this now. Of course what the communicator, in July of business, which belongs to country needs the most 2015. Immediately I came him. I immediately is a drastic change of to Colombia because for two accepted it and since then I government, but one of years my cousin who lived work here. This with the the things that don’t here had offered me to come purpose of having economic allow us to advance as a so I could get a job here and stability in Bogota. nation is the mentality raise money to be able to that the Venezuelans exert my career here, since have now. In contrast to in Venezuela I did not have what we were 15 years the opportunity to do so. ago, the Venezuelan is Photography courtesy of Would you have left www.instagram.com/elesmaltespad poor-minded: they don’t eunas/ Venezuela before the see the light at the end of crisis? Did you want to Would you like to start the the tunnel, they don’t see leave or not? same business but in a future for their Venezuela? country, they want to live Yes, I wanted to leave the without working, and we

country, even before the I do not like this business really need to change crisis. Not especially to very much. I work here to that. save money, but I really do

expensive, so there is not a government doesn’t take us We have to make them big opportunity to as a threat, because we are seek a future, make them contribute with material very few who dare to go out gout and protest, work, things. However, in the case and tell the guards "I am study, mobilize, form of providing other types of hungry" or "I need groups to march, acquire things, I would like to do it medicine" in their faces, knowledge; because from there. I would like to and that is why so many of although we cannot go now and contribute from us have died for the simple simply change the there, because from here fact of marching. But if president, we can you can contribute using many people like us decide contribute with that little the social networks or even to return, to encourage bit of hope that the with Venezuelans living those who are there, to country needs so much. I here, but the change would change their mentality, to know that it costs a lot to come if it is done from give them the hope they change the someone’s there, giving hope, strength, need; That will produce a way of thinking, and the and the wisdom that we great change, and not only people that can do so live obtained when we let the in those who are living outside the country, country there, but in the situation as that’s why in my opinion a whole, because as long as we should go get people If you have the more people return there living outside the opportunity, would you and take everything they country, and take them apply these solutions have collected in the to Venezuela, because we there? Why yes or why foreign, the more people who, live A different not? come together, the more reality, are able to realize people realize that it is US that we do not have to If I had the chance to leave, who rescue the country, wait for a miracle to I would already be there. Venezuela will have more happen, but we have to I'm still here because my opportunities to get ahead, I go out and contribute family and I need it. I send have faith in that. with anything in our things from here, and I hands. work here, but I want to go Do you love your back so bad! And yes, if I motherland? What are you willing to had enough money, I would do? return, at least for a few I love my country. Nothing compares to my country, I would like to contribute days, in order to contribute nothing compares to my with anything that is in my giving the hope that is people, nothing compares hands: food, medicine, needed there. to my gastronomy, nothing books for education, basic Do you think that you can compares to my beaches, necessities, etc. But the produce a significant nothing compares to my most important thing now change? landscapes, and that's why I is my family, and here you get up every day and I think have services to pay and From what I have seen, I want to be there. living here is very going there and protesting doesn’t produce a

significant change. The

discovering different My plan on arrival was to David Hinestroza gastronomies. But, due to become the best cook here, the crisis in Venezuela, I regardless of my project David Daniel Hinestroza had to leave because I now being Venezuelan food, Romero is a chef. He’s 26 wanted to be able to venture which is the best years old and is actually out and get to know new gastronomy, in my opinion. working as a chef in the gastronomies. This was Venezuelan food mainly because of the lack Why did you start a restaurant Estufa Comida of resources in Venezuela, business? Venezolana, located in because in the school where Actually the ones who Chia. I studied gastronomy, we started the business were were always asked for my brother-in-law and my inputs and for obvious sister. They had always seen reasons these were not me in the kitchen in obtained in Venezuela, so Venezuela, and they knew my opportunities were very that I was a great cook, so limited. they decided to hire me. What were you doing in They set up a Venezuelan restaurant, and I came to Venezuela? bring my culture and David and I I cooked in Venezuela all gastronomy and prove that When and why did you the time. I have always it is the best. leave Venezuela? worked in the kitchen. Every day I was in the

I left Venezuela six months kitchen, and so I earned the ago with the dream of money to maintain myself succeeding and being the by cooking. Before cooking I best cook. I know that in was studying at the

other countries there are university, but I didn’t courtesyof more opportunities than in culminate any of the

Venezuela, so I wanted to subjects I was studying http://www.thefoodconsulting.com venture and see what because I didn’t want to be Photography

happened. anything else that wasn’t a And when the crisis stops, Would you have left cook. Then I started the career of gastronomy, would you like to start the Venezuela before the which I want able to finish same business but in crisis? Did you want to due to the crisis. Anyways, Venezuela? Why yes or leave or not? the kitchen is always and why not? No, but I have always will always be present in my thought that the cook has life. From this moment, until I always wanted to visit every die, I'm going to have a What was your plan on country and investigate Venezuelan food business. arrival? different cuisines, like In that I am sure. Now, if the crisis stops, I would like making a tour, but

to return to Venezuela and So I think that the If other people like you cook there because I miss Venezuelan needs to be decided to return to my country, my people, and happy and happy, living Venezuela and all those things that I leave always with the hope that implement the solutions, behind; And I dream of someday we will get out of would that have a returning one day, and I can that problem. even bring the Colombian positive or negative cuisine to Venezuela! I’ve If you have the impact on the society always thought that this was opportunity, would you that is really temporary, and that I’m just apply these solutions experiencing the crisis? here with the purpose of there? Why yes or why It depends on the person, showing my gastronomy not? because there is a large and learning new percentage of Venezuelans gastronomies, and one day I Of course. I want to do everything in my hands to who think that there is no will return. help the country recover. chance that Venezuela will What do you think you Venezuela is definitely be saved because they have can do to help worth recovering. already been through many

Venezuela get out of bad things. But I believe What are you willing to do that I can make a positive the crisis? from where you are? change, because if you can I believe that what I can do talk with several people, From Colombia, I can is to open awareness. getting them together like contribute with my Invite people to take a little the Venezuelans we are, and restaurant. My purpose bit of maturity in what they talking them into retrieving right now is to show do, because now what is back their hope, then you happening in Venezuela is Colombians that Venezuela can change the mentality of that people do not think is a beautiful country and those who think they have and do things without that the Venezuelans work lost their country. We must thinking and make the hard with the purpose of have faith to achieve it, mistake of making returning. I want to make it that’s how Venezuela is decisions that in place of known that Venezuela is a recovered. helping make the situation country with a beautiful worse. We need to change culture and that it can really the mentality of the people Do you still love your get ahead. who live there now, homeland and dream of because they need to know Do you think it can returning? Why or why that the situation is not produce a significant not? improved by complaining about the president and the change? Why or why Of course. I would love to go conflicts between right and not? back and do what I'm doing

left; Because these aspects right now, but there. I have I am making a significant are no longer the problem, faith and I know that in the change, of course, but it will the problem is we have lost future I can do it. I love my be reflected later, when that hope and we do not country, and I dream to be realize that we are the ones more people know about happy there. who can save the country. Venezuela.

Micaela Did you want to leave the Do you still love your country? country and dream of Muckenschnabl coming back? I did not want to. Micaela is a social To dream ... maybe yes. But Why did you start a communicator. She is 33 there has to be a drastic years old and lives in business outside of change for me to actually go Israel. She’s actually Venezuela? / start back and live there again. Of working as a publisher. working outside of course, I do want to go back. Venezuela? Micaela Has the crisis affected I left the country to survive you directly? Why or why here, and because of that I not? had to work. To close the idea of question 1, today Yes, because I still have with my salary I can pay the family living there, and rent of two rooms where my every day it gets more and husband and I live, pay the more complicated for them. Photography courtesy of services (electricity, water, Staying in the country is https://www.linkedin.com/in/micaelamucken schnabl/en internet, telephones and complicated, getting out of

the country is complicated. housing taxes), the When and why did you groceries for the month, leave Venezuela? transportation and I also What do you think you have money left for some can do to improve the I left Venezuela in July dinner outside or some situation? 2014. I felt forced to leave luxury. With the salary of the country because I didn’t From my point of view, the two, we can save or leave see the possibilities to have for a trip. the only way in which the a family in the conditions in situation could be which the country was, and Would you like to start the improved would be to also because I didn’t like same company, but in create an educated how the future seemed to be Venezuela? Why or why society that is aware of painted for me. not? wanting a change, because right now the Despite having a university Yes, of course. I see the society living there is not degree, my salary was not potential to create a open minded nor enough to rent a place of my company alongside the one educated enough to go own and I was often missing I have here but there, in my for a change. If that money to buy groceries country. But in the happened, I would be the every month. I lived with circumstances that the first person that goes my mom and sometimes I country is right now, I don’t back to the country to had to eat her food. For a see viable going there to live support. person of 31 years (my age and even less to create a at the time I left) I didn’t see business. the country as an option for me and my future life.

a gringo by its flag. The I could teach at the If other people like you government has tried so university, help with any decided to return to hard to create it but I feel it initiative that is created Venezuela and process has been more a matter of for informal education the solutions, would it fashion than a real feeling. and support for formal have a positive or So I can say that I do love education; I believe that negative impact on the Venezuela, because for me values, morals and society that is actually it is an amazing country, education are the pillars experiencing the crisis? unique in this world, I love for any society. I have more than a year and because of that, not because If you have the a half without getting into I was born in it. opportunity, would you Venezuela, and I think the go back to the country to only possible amenable to implement these answer this question would solutions? Why or why be living a little the reality not? that the Venezuelan is living right now because I know Yes. As I explained in the that every day things previous question, I would change and they become really want to go back and more difficult and that help educate our society every day every Venezuelan into a united civilization becomes a less tolerant that wants a change. I have Photography courtesy of person, which is sad https://people.bayt.com/micaela- faith that a change can muckenschnabl-27448592/ because we were always happen if we unite, but we happy people that, no also need a political matter the circumstances, modification. always smiled, but the crisis

Do you think that has made us corrupted and significant change can gray. I don’t know if the change would be positive, occur? Why or why not? but I do hope it is. I do believe that a significant change could Do you love your occur but I’m clear that I homeland? Why or why not? alone would not achieve it, and that it has to be a I don’t feel it is "my general movement for it to motherland" (it may be work: we all have to be because that word is already aware of wanting a change, within the dictatorial not seeing it as an dictionary of the regime). opportunity for more corruption, which is what The Venezuelan has never happens today with any had that sense of belonging change plan. that can have, for example,

Raquel Medina my mom who gave me away because my husband had Raquel Medina is already spent a lot of time licensed in alone, so I decided to leave Administration. She’s 37 but the truth is that I did not Photography courtesy of: www.instagram.com/kaluactivewear/ years old and is currently want to. You never think of working as the owner of a just moving out of your And when the crisis stops, country. No. In any sportswear store called would you like to start the moment, you do not even Kalu Active Wear, same business but in think about it. One looked Venezuela? Why yes or located in Bogota. at the future and never imagined living in another why not? country. My husband and I Of course. Now I like this had jobs, my daughter was business, and I see that if I studying, and one does not can make money with it, I even consider leaving as an would very much like to go option. So it isn’t that I was back to Venezuela to form considering leaving as a Raquel Medina with the same business but in my plan. It was my husband famous Venezuelans country. I would like to Emilio Lovera and Che who decided to leave after produce for my country, Gaetano. the crisis began to develop with Venezuelan raw mainly in his situation with material, and of course with Photography courtesy of: https://www.instagram.com/systenergy/ the oil company, and my family. obviously, as I am married, I have to follow my When and why did you husband. leave Venezuela? What do you think Why did you start a In 2012 because my you can do to help business out of husband got a job in Venezuela? / Started Venezuela get out Colombia after being working out of of the crisis? rejected in Venezuela because he was supposedly Venezuela? I think that from

involved in some political Well, as you know, Bogota is Colombia is a bit difficult issues that brought him very expensive. We have but one can always do problems. two daughters, and something. We want to although he is working we save it all, but it's hard to Would you have left have to have another source have the tools to do it. I Venezuela before the of income to pay all the think that in order to crisis? Did you want to expenses consumed, then rescue the vote is the leave or not? we look for an option b. So most viable, most democratic. I didn’t wanted to leave we decided to start a because I had my mother clothing store to have sick and I didn’t want to another source of income.

leave my family. But it was

If you have the Also, I consider the vote returning? Why or why opportunity, would you being the most democratic not? apply these solutions thing to do, because the country has been needing a I love my country with all there? Why yes or why new government for a long my heart. Here I live in an not? time. apartment of wooden Yes, of course I will. I’ve floors, with modern details If other people like you always thought that I’m and all that. In Venezuela I here provisionally, and that decided to return to lived in a house with a huge one day I will return to my Venezuela and yard where I had my hens, home, but while I’m living implement the solutions, dogs and parrots. I miss here, I will travel there for would that have a that very much, and I also every election. positive or negative miss the food, and my impact on the society culture. Venezuela is a What are you willing to do that is really country so rich that it has so from where you are? experiencing the crisis? much to take advantage of, what happens is that we From Colombia, what I Of course is positive. I think have gone short little by always do is give hope. Tell that what our purpose is little. I have my country all my friends and family to right now is to go and rescue tattooed in my blood. go out, to go to the marches the country, because Venezuela and its people and to take away the fear of Venezuela can only be saved are beautiful in every sense going out to protest. I think by us, the ones that go out of the word. Venezuelans one of the tools that we from and vote, the ones that are unique, and we will Colombia could use to aren’t afraid of marching, always love Venezuela, the rescue the country is that. I and of course the ones that most beautiful country. also remain with and hope. maintain everybody When we get the chance I positive and with high will go to vote and do hopes. Immigrants who everything possible for a have left the country have change, make use of social gone to work and to learn networking especially. with the purpose of Do you think it can returning and produce a significant implementing what they change? Why or why learned in the country to not? improve the situation. If all the Venezuelan that is Yes because what the outside returns with the society living in Venezuela knowledge that I acquire in right now need the most are another country, all the hopes and a little push, impact that leads is because perhaps they might positive. lost the willingness, and giving it to them would Do you still love your make them more active. homeland and dream of

and we would have the Simon Villalba Would you like to start the same business, but in Venezuela we had before. Because there are things we Simon is a doctor. He is 46 Venezuela? Why or why can’t change. years old and lives in not? Bogota, Colombia. He’s I started working outside Do you think that currently working as an the country because I was significant change can ophthalmologist and offered work in the clinic, occur? Why or why not? retinologist. and the situation wasn’t Yes, working as a specialist When and why did you good. I worked as an in the medical field would ophthalmologist in leave Venezuela? be contributing with my Venezuela in an important grain of sand. I left Venezuela on August clinic where I am a 2015, because I was offered shareholder, and yes I If other people like you work at the Barraquer Clinic would like to work there decided to return to in Bogotá, and due to the again but the conditions Venezuela and process insecurity prevailing in the don’t allow me to. the solutions, would it country my family and I have a positive or made the decision to leave. What do you think you negative impact on the can do to help Did you want to leave the society that is actually Venezuela get out of country? experiencing the crisis? the crisis? I didn’t want to leave. Yes, the fact that there are I think that as a civilian, Sometimes circumstances Venezuelans who decide to what I can do is support compel you to make work abroad for their the opposition and vote. decisions you don’t want to country brings positive make. I would’ve liked the impact, however the security situation in my What are you willing to do obstacles that the country to be another, that from where you are right government puts are very now? large, and most of the time way I could’ve stayed. businesses end up failing From Colombia I have sent Why did you start working because of these. This ophthalmological outside of Venezuela? applies to the practice of medicines to Venezuelan medicine. How to exercise a In a couple of opportunities hospitals that need them. quality medicine without I left the country to do supplies? postgraduate studies, and If you have the then I returned, despite opportunity, would you Do you love your having had offers to stay in go back to the country to homeland? those countries. But the implement these situation in Venezuela was solutions? Of course. I never stop worsening every day, so I loving my country. I would Yes of course. However, the had to leave. like to go back if the ideal thing would be that situation improves. the situation would change

nothing like where your family José González Photography courtesy of es- lives, nothing like your la.facebook.com/elrincondevenezuelachia/ gastronomy, nothing like your José Luis Gonzales Mata is an electronical engineer. beach, nothing like your He’s 49 years old and is climate, nothing like your people; And it is very difficult currently working as the to get what Venezuela has in owner of the Venezuelan another country; But in search food restaurant El Rincon of a better quality of life, my de Venezuela, located in family and I had to leave. Chia. What were you doing in Venezuela? In Venezuela I worked in the And when the crisis stops, oil industry. would you like to start the same business but in What was your plan on Venezuela? Why yes or arrival? (Work as a why not? professional or start a A client, Jose and I business at once) Of course. That is my dream, because everyone who eats in When I arrived in Colombia, this restaurant says that food my plan was to continue is the best, and even better When and why did you practicing my profession. But than the one they sell there. In leave Venezuela? with the situation so critical addition to having a much that we find worldwide more productive business I left Venezuela two and a half because of the low oil prices, being there, my wife and I years ago. I was basically when I arrived here it became would do what we like in the looking to improve the very difficult to get work in country that we like the most. education of my children who that area, and my family I are teenagers. decided to undertake and What do you think you invest in this food place, since can do to help Would you have left we had one when we lived in Venezuela get out of Venezuela before the Venezuela and we had to leave. the crisis? crisis? Did you want to That was our plan B. leave or not? Maybe being outside of Why did you start a Venezuela is a bit difficult This is the second time I've business? to contribute. Because we lived out of Venezuela. The are a bit disconnected, we first time I left was a little Because I first like to eat, really, who does not like to do not live there. But before the crisis began in somehow, to the people eat? And I like Venezuelan 2001, and I lived four years in who visit us who still live the United States. For gastronomy a lot, it's unique. And my wife is a great cook. So there, we transmit personal situations I had to unconditional support in return to Venezuela, but this we wanted to start and set up a Venezuelan food business. the understanding and time I left permanently. I dissemination of the things really did not want to leave the that are happening in country. In my opinion, there Venezuela, is nothing like my land,

know what happens in the heart wrinkles, when my

so that all the people who country. landscapes, when I eat are abroad will find out empanada de cazon, I what is happening In Do you think it can remember my country, and Venezuela; And this is a produce a significant makes me want to return. No great way to help, because change? Why or why country like Venezuela, that’s as soon as more people for sure. know about what happens not? in Venezuela, this becomes Yes. The more people know an international pressure, about Venezuela, the better,

which becomes a benefit because that means that more for those who are inside people would care about the Venezuela and for That the country and the people on it, crisis can be solved. and they could help us and support our country. If you have the opportunity, would you If other people like you apply these solutions decided to return to there? Why yes or why Venezuela and not? implement the solutions, would that have a It depends because all the positive or negative people living there already know about what’s going on, impact on the society so it wouldn’t be effective or that is really significant. I wouldn’t go there experiencing the crisis? for that, I would have another motive, like to open mind and Yes, indeed. When you leave give hope, since I am living in your country, you learn many another country. I would also other things, and you learn bring food and medicine, how to approach matters because many people need differently, which is very that desperately. helpful. While leaving you leave your comfort zone and What are you willing to do you will make any decision to from where you are? get ahead, and that gives you strength so that when you From Colombia I am willing to return you have those contribute in any way. I am additional strengths that will enrolled in an association of allow you to contribute more. Venezuelans in Colombia called AsoVenCol, where we Do you still love your always collaborate with homeland and dream of contributions in currency, returning? Why or why food, medicine; For this to be not? taken to Venezuela and to be of help. Likewise, from Definitely. I love Venezuela as Colombia helps to spread the nothing in this world, when I word, so that the Colombians hear the national anthem my

What were you doing in sustainability; Because to live well in any country you need to Ivanova Gonzales Venezuela? have a job, and what better Ivanova Gonzales is a I was practicing with my way to work than to invest business administrator. She profession. The last position I your capital in a business. is 27 years old and is had was a medical visitor in a currently working in her sushi transnational laboratory. And when the crisis stops, restaurant Kazoku Sushi. would you like to start the What was your plan on same business but in Ivanova and I arrival? (Work as a Venezuela? Why yes or professional or start a why not? business at once) Of course I would like to! In I came to Colombia more fact, that is my dream. I want planned than many people to run this business here, but leaving the country, because I to relocate and start another came with the vision of having business in Venezuela, to do a business and I think that in what I like but in my country, order to have a business you and to expand. must be much planned. I came in order to have economic What do you think you stability, that's why we set up

the restaurant; besides having can do to help Venezuela get out of peace, tranquility, and a future family, things that in the crisis? When and why did you Venezuela are difficult to have in these moments. Every day we ask ourselves leave Venezuela? that question, and I really believe that there are many 1 year and 6 months ago. I left times in Venezuela that Venezuela with my husband people do not see the light and we came to Colombia. We at the end of the tunnel, started a project with sushi, they do not find that hope and that's why we have a sushi that encourages them to go restaurant. Currently we work ahead in the country, and in our local, we manage our that is why go. But when business and we are the chefs you step on another floor, of the restaurant. Photography courtesy of you start thinking that if Would you have left www.tripadvisor.com.mx/ you had half the Venezuela before the possibilities you have in Why did you start a another country, but in crisis? Did you want to business? your country, everything leave or not? would be better. Start the business mainly for

Never ever. I did not want to the same stability that we all leave. But I had to because the need when leaving a country, crisis was starting to affect me because we are always going to and my husband. be foreigners, and we always need to have something that gives us economic and legal

when we were a country in Venezuela, and the third

And really, every day, those development. group to take advantage Of the of us outside the country situation to live the day to day work to have an image in Do you think it can without working and loosing the rest of the world that produce a significant hopes in the country. I believe we are hard workers, that change? Why or why that change must lead to this we want to do things well, not? group of people, so that they that we do not want to join the group of people that

inflict any law anywhere; My experience has been very work hard, because those who And I really think that is positive in Colombia. I have remain open minded and full one of the ways in which we never had any problems, and I of hope, and those who work can help Venezuela, really think that if I can form a hard every day, are the ones because those working significant change with that would save the country. outside the country work to respect to the image that And I believe those people are eliminate the stereotype Venezuela has here in our mirror in Venezuela, so that the Venezuelan does Colombia. we, exiles, can copy them. not want to work and does not want to do anything for If other people like you Do you still love your their country. That is the decided to return to homeland and dream of work of us who are leaving Venezuela and returning? Why or why or already left. Being implement the solutions, outside gives us the not? would that have a opportunity of having a Of course. That is my dream. little more freedom in the positive or negative To return to my country. I love day to day to do things well. impact on the society it too much, and every day I We are here to change the that is really wish in coming back and image that has the world of experiencing the crisis? stablishing a family there. Venezuela. We are here to expand our knowledge and Positive. Recently I went to bring it back to the country. Venezuela for two months, We are here to make the and what I carry with me in all world know that Venezuela my family is positive. I am the is worth recovering. hope for my family, and we Venezuelans abroad are the

What are you willing to do hope for those who continue in the country, and although from where you are? some do not see us that way, if I can contribute with anything we are. Because we represent a m country needs. If it is really future, a different reality. In necessary, I would do the trip that I did unfortunately I saw Venezuela anything to help my country. I have contributed a lot, I am 27 very different. Now there are years old and I have worked three large groups of the since I was 20, I have always population: the ones that left liked the subject of Venezuela, because we did not see the my country; And I grew up in light at the end of the tunnel, Venezuela from before, and I Others who work day by day dream that my children will and are preparing and doing someday hear what I heard everything they can within

Maria Gabriela working in his company, moment where I have DeCarvalhio and in 2010 I decided to already decided to set up a move here. local with the same purpose Maria Gabriela of bringing Venezuelan Would you have left DeCarvalhio is an products to people who ask Venezuela before the Arquitect. She’s 50 years me, because I cannot have crisis? Did you want to old and is currently all the products in my house leave or not? working as the owner of a or take them all to home. Venezuelan articles store If the crisis had not begun to And when the crisis stops, called Roraima Antojitos manifest itself, it would would you like to start the never have come out. My Maria Gabrielay Algo and MáI s, located in same business but in dad is Portuguese, and he Bogota. Venezuela? Why yes or had to leave his country why not? because of political problems. After the I wouldn’t start the exact revolution fell in Portugal, same business in he decided to return with us Venezuela, because they are to Portugal, but after a year already many “bodegas” he was already missing like this one there that are Venezuela. He wanted to selling the same products; return because he missed so I wouldn’t want to start a the beaches, the landscapes business like this one in and unique things that only Venezuela. The business I Venezuela has. But even in own here is called Antojitos my case, I would never ever y Algo Más because my have imagined leaving the purpose with this local is to country. Ever. sell the products that Venezuelans living here Why did you start a crave and miss every day, so business? they can remember and take home a part of their When and why did you country; but in Venezuela leave Venezuela? businesses like this one are very common. I would like I really didn’t want to leave! to start a business there, But since my husband is yes, but I would sell Colombian. He formed a different products, like company here and started Colombian ones. working in 2007. In 2008 First I started bringing we came here to visit his things that people asked me family and see how the to bring for them, because

situation was. It was in as they knew I was 2009 was when we bought Venezuelan, many people an apartment, while he was asked me for Venezuelan products. There comes a

What do you think you What are you willing to do would that have a from where you are? positive or negative can do to help impact on the society Venezuela out of the With my store, Venezuelan crisis? products have spread a lot that is really around the globe. Many experiencing the crisis? Well, I’m no politician, people come here and take so I really have no idea of It would be supremely products to other countries. what I could do right positive, because the My store has the purpose of now to help my country. Venezuelans who have left making the country known, Of course I contribute are hard-working so that it does not stay in the with everything that is in professionals, who obsolete, and that they my hands; I’ve sent undertake with effort, and realize that Venezuelan clothes, medicine, food, all those people who have products are the best. I want and many other basic had to go because they have to make known that the best necessities, but I think no way to work, are the chocolate in the world, that the country needs a hope for the country so it which would come to be political change. When becomes the Venezuela it Swiss chocolate, is made Maduro gets out of was before. with Venezuelan cacao. power, I will be the Do you still love your FIRST person buying the Do you think it can homeland and dream of plane tickets to return. produce a significant returning? Why or why Then, while I’m living change? Why or why there, I would have many not? not? more opportunities to I love Venezuela. I love the help the country. Yes, it can produce a beach, which I went to every significant change mainly weekend. I miss my family, If you have the because Venezuela has my roots, and my culture. I opportunity, would you always been known as a was taught to love my apply these solutions country that stands out, country since I was little. I there? Why yes or why maybe because of the do not only love it because I not? country’s beauty, or was born there, but because because of the seven Miss of its beauty, its culture, its I travel to Venezuela on Universe crowns we own, landscapes and beaches, every chance I get. But since and with my shop I’m because there is nothing my solution is based on erasing the current idea like Venezuela, it is a unique returning home AFTER people have about country in the world and Maduro gets out of office, Venezuela being worthless, has no comparison. There is then of course I would go to because we are anything but nothing like El Avila, there apply it, and not just me, worthless. is nothing like the Pabellon but the great amount of Criollo, and there is nothing hard working Venezuelans If other people like you like our culture, there is who have left the country decided to return to nothing like the dreaming about coming Venezuela and Venezuelans. back. implement the solutions, Photography Courtesy of: Efrén Hernández Arias (Photographer)

Rescue Plan After debating and analyzing the several answers I got from my interviews, I had a lot of information to work with, and a lot of information to analyze further. This information is what makes the plan, a plan based on the opinions of Venezuelans who left the country due to the crisis and are willing to come back if things improve, a plan that can make my dream come true. This plan may seem pointless to some, like if it wasn’t going to make a change, but I do believe it can contribute to the recovery of Venezuela. 1. According to Erhard Cerny, who believes that the crisis in Venezuela is more of a moral crisis than an economic or political crisis, the first step into saving the country would be to change how Venezuelans live, convert that rancor and hate into hope and faith. 2. Yanira Quintero stated that what Venezuela needs is to be cleansed of all bad: all the corruption, all evil, and indifference. To do this we must be spokesmen, and have spokesmen inside the country, so we can spread a better reality, spread the idea of change. 3. Similar to Yanira’s idea, Etgarlin Daza, as a social communicator, considers that to rescue the country the mentality that the Venezuelan has must be changed; we have to switch the poor mentality to the open mentality. How? I think by using the social media and showing Venezuelans that there is a chance to be better. 4. According to David Hinestroza, what we need to do to get out of the crisis is to raise awareness in Venezuela, because many of the people that still live there have lost hope, they think that nothing can be done, and that fills the society with negative emotions. We need to assure these people that there can be a change, if they believe in so. 5. What Micaela Muckenschnabl considers essential for a change in the country is education. To rescue the country it’s important to create awareness that will inspire a change, and the best way to do that is by providing another type of education in universities and schools that form our society into a united community that wants a change. 6. Raquel Medina believes that the vote is the most viable option for a change in Venezuela. It’s important that all Venezuelans that are able to vote, even those who live outside the country, use that tool to rescue the country, in a political way. 7. Like Ms. Medina, Simon Villalba suggests that us, as civilians, need to use the vote as a tool for recovering the country, but we also must support the opposition, since it is the most viable party we have for a successful political change. 8. Even though Jose Gonzales considers that being outside the country makes it difficult to contribute, he also thinks that the more people living abroad know about the situation in Venezuela, the more chance we have to recover. Having allies that understand our condition and support us is key for a mayor economic change. 9. What Ivanova Gonzales thinks is that we, as Venezuelans abroad, need to create a new image of the Venezuelan, to erase the stereotype that the Venezuelan doesn’t work or doesn’t want a change, and therefore doesn’t deserve international aide. We need to create a new image that screams: “The Venezuelan works super hard for finding new opportunities, but the Venezuelan would also be 100% happier if he or she had those opportunities inside their country.” Once that image is created, many more people would want to support us. 10. Even though Maria Gabriela DeCarvalhio thinks that what the country needs is a drastic political change, she believes that the country can be rescued if we, Venezuelan emigrants, return to our homeland after the change in government, and that way, using what we learned abroad, we have more opportunity in making a better country.

Photography Courtesy of: Efrén Hernández Arias (Photographer)

I like a lot of What I like most What I like the things about Venezuela, about my country is the most about Venezuela “but above all, I like being tolerance“ we have for has“ to be its beautiful Venezuelan, knowing each other, regardless of Caribbean Sea and its everything that it our social class. paradisiac islands. implies. Venezuela is a beauty -Claudia Poller, from that has no comparison. -José C. Ávila, from Caracas, Venezuela.” Quito, Ecuador” I’m proud of being What I like most Venezuelan. Definitely the about Venezuela is the -Clara Salazar, from Venezuelans. Seeing Venezuelans.“ Despite the North Carolina,” USA. “them together is what I difficulties, we stand firm The people, the like the most. in our beliefs. food, the beaches... -Patricia Ávila, from -Dioanelys Barbery, from Everything.“ Anzoátegui, Venezuela. ” Anzoátegui, Venezuela.” -Luz Tosta, from Bogotá,

Colombia. ” We love Venezuela Venezuelans were asked what the liked the most about their country and these are their answers. Its diversity and We are unique. I We have every variety in every way. just love that when I go to weather in just one the supermarket I make country. We’re very kind “-Maximillian Kopp, from “ “ people, we always have a Anzoátegui, Venezuela”. friends with the cashier smile. while I’m waiting in line. The best beaches Venezuelans are the -Jessika Da Silva, from in the world! kindest. Caracas”, Venezuela. -Belén“ Figuera, from -Kenia García, from Bogotá, Colombia. ” Anzoátegui,” Venezuela. Our landscapes,

The Angel Falls, the Venezuela’s The charisma and beaches…“ we’re a eternal summer, and the joy that makes us beautiful country. solidarity“ of our people. Venezuelans“ . -Andrea Rocassalva, -Erlette Ávila, from -Lara Sánchez, from from Anzoátegui,” Venezuela. Bogotá, Colombia. ” Anzoátegui, Venezuela.”

Personal Project CIEDI 2017 Valeria Barbery

For my first love, Venezuela.