Young Venezuelan ed to flee crisis

Venezuelans hoping to cross to a better life. Luckily, the similarity in the language and culture helps for a smoother transit from one country to the next.

One German tourist who I met in Peru told me a weird yet troubling experience he had at the border. Holding a huge stash of Venezuelan Bolivar, the German man said that this money was given to him by a Venezuelan who was on the same night bus. “He just handed me this huge sum of money and said: “Take it. You cannot even buy a piece of bread with all that cash. It’s worth nothing.”

At first, we both laughed and fooled around with the thick wad of cash, pretending they were euros or dollars and slapping them around, feeling, somehow, rich. But then we both stopped smiling and told each other how sad this story was. Inflation in Venezuela has reached a record high, leaving people who had decent salaries unable to buy even the most basic essentials.

A recent outbreak in a Venezuelan prison left over 60 people dead. Prisons in Venezuela are known to be highly overcrowded and littered with weapons and drugs. The revolt in this particular prison started during visiting hours. The prisoners set a mattress on fire and the cells were soon engulfed in flames. Women and children who went to see their loved ones also lost their lives in the fire.

It is estimated that more than two million Venezuelans have left the country since the crisis started. Shortage of food sup- plies and groceries led to a high crime rate. Homicides in the country have risen by 91.8 per cent. Next month (May) the Venezuelan people will be called to vote in the general election.