Having just won another frauduletn election is not incentive enough for the chavistas to at least try to do something that would give people the impression that they "care" a bit about their misery.
They claim a blockade/embargo from the USA makes it impossible for them to import what they need to satisfy all the crap they put in their constitution to satisfy people's need.
Curiously, though, the bloqueo does not prevent them from importing all the luxury they need to satisfy their needs.
We see high government official, and even some petty officials, shamelessly flashing their brand new cars, mansions, clothes, cell phones, bodyguards, yachts, jets, yewels, restaurants, hotels, etc.
The people, on the other hand, keeps dealing with the trashy lives available for those without the money or the power.
It is our daily disgusting spectacle, in every corner, of every street, in every town, on a ny given day.
Money for trucks to pick up the trash regularly? Nah! "The people can wait. They understand."
In the meantime, you walk around and hear people talk about the bonuses announced by the government in their Patria system website.
That topic seems to occupy the attention of most humble people in every town. Their livelihood depends on the meager crumbs the revolution throws at the poor people the so much brag about. The people who just elected the same majors and governors for 4 more years of corruption and inefficiency.
During the campaign they did not do anything to make it look like they cared because they realized that crumbs are just enough to keep the majority of the poor content.
Why does the government give away bonuses? Becasue minimum wage is less than $2 a month and a big chunk of the population, especially elders and people in rural areas, make minimum wage.
What kinds of bonuses will those holding the Carnet de la Patria will receive?
Hogares de la patria (Motherland homes)
Just judging by the corny names you can tell what kind of minds are behind them
This "bonus" is delivered each month to the heads of the family and its amount varies according to the number of people that make up the families. The amount to be received with a member is Bs. 2.8; with two members Bs. 3.5; with three members Bs. 5.25; with four members Bs. 7; with five members Bs. 8.75; and with six members or more Bs. 10.5.
1Bs (VEF) equals 0.2 US$, so, the most a family of six will receive for this section equals $2 a month.
José Gregorio Hernández
This "bonus" is intended for people with a disability and its value is Bs. 5.25 (roughly $1).
Amor Mayor (Elder Love)
Older adults receive their benefit of Bs. 7. Those grandparents who do not have a pension from the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security.
Those grandparents receive $1.4 a month. HOW GENEROUS!
Parto Humanizado (humanized delivery)
Special bonus for pregnant women with an amount of Bs. 7. ($1.4 that most surely covers monthly doctor's visit, which is roughly $20 and you have to see how "humanized" Venezuelan women's deliveries of their babies is)
Lactancia Materna (Breastfeeding)
This bonus is a continuity of the humanized birth bonus. It is given to women who gave birth and its amount is Bs. 7. (that sure covers the diapers and other basic expenses).
And there was a "special bonus" nicely called the three wise men (celebrated today in Venezuela) which amounts to:.... $1.4
Even if someone qualified for all these bonuses, they would be receiving some $8 from their generous benefactors, plus their salary (if they had a job), some $15. According to some estimates, an average Venezuelan family would need some $300 a month to cover basic expenses (rent not included).
In the mean time, the world sends mixed messages about not recognizing Maduro as president, while they still let him and his cronies continue abusing human rights and destroying what's left of a former rich and promising country.
The world also keeps making it harder for those Venezuelans who had been forced to leave their country to have any kind of peace or stability (with some honorable exceptions).
I am not sure for how long this can go, but rest assured that no matter what official media and their accomplices say, things are not and will not get any better in Venezuela in 2022 (and don't get me started on how Covid-19, a collapsed sanitary system, guerrila wars, gangs, drug dealers wars, corrupt opposition, and a 007-licenced military make this a bit more complicated).
