Last week, Venezuelans partied a little harder than usual when the National Electoral Council announced the winner of the majority of seats in the National Assembly. The Opposition Party that has been fighting the Chavez/Maduro Socialist party for over two decades finally won the majority with 112 seats in the National Assembly, compared to the Socialist party’s 46 seats.
People took to the streets to celebrate, with fireworks exploding all throughout the capital, Caracas. In typical Venezuelan style, people stayed out until the morning celebrating the win of the Opposition Party. Reason enough, considering the people have gone through hell and back recently thanks to the government.
The country has been facing some serious issues. The government has been corrupt for many years now, but over the past 12 months, the country has seen struggles that no other well-developed country has even considered facing. You know there is something seriously wrong when you go to the store and cannot find toilet paper… yes, toilet paper. Want some milk with your coffee? How about some sugar? Or flour to cook with? Maybe eggs for breakfast? It doesn’t matter where you go... every grocery store in the country is saying: “Lo siento.”
Not only is the country suffering from food shortages, but the problem of national security is a complete joke. Last year, college students broke out into protests when a student was raped and killed on a college campus, and also following the murder of Miss Venezuela, Monica Spear. Not only were they protesting about security on campuses, they were protesting against security and violence in the entire country. The voices of the college students were loud enough that the rest of the country heard and responded with protests breaking out everywhere against the government, high crime, and food shortages. These marches were peaceful, but all went to hell when the National Guard got involved. There were more than 40 deaths, more than 1,000 injuries, and more than 4,000 arrests, including that of Opposition Party leader Leopoldo Lopez. All in a matter of two weeks.
These problems will soon start to turn around now that the Opposition has a majority voice in the law-passing powerhouse of the country. Although in the grand scheme of the complicated government and the many offices (which are still under the control of the Socialist party) this may look to be a small feat, it is a massive step for the Opposition and for the country. Laws can now be passed to release political prisoners, to strengthen the economy, and Opposition leaders can be appointed to legal positions. All of this makes it harder for the Socialist government to pass legislation, which is what the people want to see. With the voter turnout of 74.3 percent, it is clear that the people want a change, and they want it now.
The Venezuelan government is not the only South American (corrupt) government taking the ‘L’ this month. Three weeks ago, a center-right candidate won the presidential election in Argentina, taking over the leftist party that had been in control since 2003. Latin America is making a turnaround, country by country, and could potentially be seeing the end of left-wing policies that have ruined the economies of the countries and the lives of thousands.
With the Opposition gaining this momentum in Venezuela, the country will be seeing a drastic change for the better. Which means more partying and celebrations to come... "a lo Venezolano."
Chao Maduro… que viva Venezuela.