What You Don't Read about Venezuela

I just came back from a two weeks trip to Venezuela. I had been to Margarita two years ago, but I had not been to Caracas and the interior of the country in almost 5 years.

As a fierce critic of Chavez, I have to admit that there are some major improvements that you do not read about especially in the U.S. I lived almost 20 years in Venezuela and almost 20 years in the U.S., mostly in Miami. I read and listen to almost everything that I can about Venezuela and Chavez in all the major newspapers and news programs. However, you only hear one view. You do not hear the other point of view. I agree with almost 100% everything that is written about Chavez, especially from well-respected journalists in the U.S. and Venezuela.

As I told most of my friends and relatives, in my humble point of view, there are 3 major problems with Chavez that we really need to put on top the list:

1) foreign affairs: our closest friends are Cuba and Iran, and we have horrible relations with the U.S. and also "cold" relations to put it mildly with the Europe, Mexico, Chile, and soon Brazil. My biggest concern obviously is Iran;
2) dividing the country in two groups: Chavistas and "Escualidos y Golpistas" (squalid and participant of coup d'etat). This has major consequences because of all the hatred created by Chavez, especially among families. Also, if you signed the referendum against Chavez, you cannot participate in government programs (which now is most of the economy);
3) private property: is Chavez going after everyone's private property -- just like another Cuba? Most, like me, believe it is not possible, but in Cuba, most probably thought so as well.

However, let's talk a little about what you do not read. When I arrived to Maiquetia (the main international airport near Caracas), it was completely renovated. It felt like a new modern airport in the U.S. I have been to over 80 countries, and this airport now is in the top tier. Most importantly, there is construction for new parking lots, hotels, etc. The Immigration was smooth with all the modern IT technology. I was not so pleasantly surprised to see an Iranian airline 747 parked next our American Airlines plane -- a good example of the contrast you see between the good and the bad.

The main purpose of my visit was to go to the Copa America and visit relatives and friends that I had not seen in many years. Of the two weeks, I spent 80% of the time driving throughout most of Venezuela to go to the matches. The improvements in infrastructure are impressive, including highways, bridges (the viaduct from La Guaira to Caracas can be compared to the Alps). I could not recognize the small towns that I had seen 10 years ago because of all the new highways, buildings, and so on. I was most impressed by the constructions in record time of 9 football stadiums (3 completely new and 6 redone completely). If you saw one of the games on TV, you probably thought you were watching the World Cup from Germany 2006. I have to also say that going in and out of the stadium in Maturin and Barquisimeto was a nightmare, without seat numbers, oversold, little or no security, and unfinished bathrooms and hallways, but on balance, I was very impressed. In Miami, we have been arguing for 10 years now for a new baseball stadium, and we cannot get it done despite a team that has won two World Series in 10 years.

I was also impressed with Caracas. Driving down the Francisco de Miranda and Libertador, two main avenues in Caracas, you can see a lot new and modern buildings. You have to give credit to the Mayors of Chacao, Baruta, and el Hatillo (the few left from the Opposing parties). I know personally the Mayors of Chacao and Hatillo, and it does not surprise me one bit. Chacao is a 1st World neighborhood within a 3rd World country (this was started by Irene Saez - ex-Miss Universe, who first ran against Chavez). I needed a new Cedula (national Id), which I checked on the internet for daily locations, and we asked a Chacao police officer on a motorcycle for the exact location. First, he radioed to make sure it was taking place that day, and afterwards, he told us to follow him to take us to the right place. By the way, I got my new Cedula Bolivariana relatively quickly with no need to bribe anyone (like it used to be). The Government employees were all very professional and efficient. By the way, at airport, I showed the Immigration officials my Venezuelan and U.S. passport, and I was treated very well too. I had doubts about showing my U.S passport.

I went to Cua -- a suburban town outside of Caracas -- for two days. As I was arriving to Cua, I see a modern structure that looks like space station. This is the new train station that takes you to Caracas in about 20 minutes. I did not get on the train but I had never seen a station like this in the U.S., Japan or France. Unfortunately, it was supposed to have the fastest train in the World, but because of corruption had to settle for just fast.

Finally, I was told that poor people not only get free medicines, free medical attention, preferential credits for a car, but also a free house!!! If you live in shantytown (rancho), you can apply to rebuild it or build a new one. Although, I understand only 10,000 have been built, this is an incredible program to say the least. I have to do more research on this program. My cousin quit his job in Coca Cola, and found a construction company with a partner for this program.

I also found out that Chavez forgave all the student-loans "Fundayacucho" For perspective, Fundayacucho is a Government scholarship - loans (with very low interest and provisions to forgive part or all the loan based on performance) program for Venezuelans going abroad. I was fortunate enough to benefit from Fundayacucho to pursue my MBA at Harvard Business School. Fundayacucho gave me $70,000 to pay for tuition, room & board, and based on my performance forgave $35,000. I had to pay the balance right away to stay in the U.S. Most of my friends and family, who went to Ivy League Schools, with Fundayacucho stayed in the U.S. I remembered that none of my friends from other countries at Harvard had such program.

My family and friends from the Opposition say: "yes, it all true, but the bad outweighs the good". I agree with them, but nobody talks about the good. Most of the Venezuelan population is affected directly by the "good" and not so much by the "bad". I also want to mention that I did not feel in any moment that I could say what I wanted when I wanted even among Chavistas. I saw an interview in Globovision of a ex-Secretary of Defense. I could not believe the questions and accusations that the interviewer was making about corruption and Chavez. Even if they are all true, the point is that the lack of freedom of speech is exaggerated to say the least. I watch all the O'Reilly, Hannity & Colmes, Matthews, and all the Sunday shows, and I never have seen an interviewer accused a Government official in such a way.

I have always voted against Chavez and I still consider myself radically opposed to Chavez policies and his behavior, but I cannot ignore some of the good that has been done with the Petrodollars, and may be some journalists in the U.S. should do the same.

I truly enjoyed my trip to Venezuela, and I cannot wait to come back again. Although I recognized that this is only a small non-representative sample of experiences, I wanted to mention what you don't read about especially in U.S. papers.