A couple of days ago my wife and I were walking downtown, looking for some asthma medication for her mother.
Most medications for elders are very expensive and hard to find. My mother-in-law, like most Venezuelan elders, has seen her health worsen considerably in the last three years. Her monthly pension is just less than $2 and any of her medicines cost over $5. She takes half a dozen different drugs for life.
When we were passing by Miranda Square we saw this truck that aparentlty is part of one of these "effectist" programs we are used to by now.It is a military vehicle; it carries the coat of arms of the national guard on the upper right, and it sells cheap medicines.
They actually have a limited stock; they did not have the one we were looking for. It called my attention that just when there has been international pressure from the International Criminal Court and other Human Rights organizations to finally take this regime to trial for human rights violations; just when we have witnessed lots of scandals involving military from this branch and government officials involved in drug and gas trafficking, we have these displays of "love" for the people.
Four more trucks have been driving around town; some parked in different places, selling "cheaper" medicines. Even with a big discount, most long-term treatments are out of budget for the average elder, but they make it look as if the national guard (as if they did not have a ministry of health which should be in charge of this) not only takes care of your safety; it also takes care of your health.
They also brought water to the water fountain in the square. They were celebrating the birth of Antonio José de Sucre (our local independence hero). The fountain is usually dry. They put water only for the picture.
I am so sick of so much populism; so much cynicism; so much impunity. They have achieved all their goals, though. They have made people so dependent from the State that the majority of the population, now under the poverty line, must thank their oppressors for everything; from the air they breathe to the water they drink or enjoy in a public fountain.
The image reads: A limitless articulator/mediator. On behalf of social justice. Guard of the people
It can't get more cheese or cynical. This military body certainly knows no limit. They are everywhere, can abuse anyone and nothing will happen to them. "Social Justice," as in abusing decent citizens and providing criminals with weapons and impunity in exchange for a slice?
