Carnaval could sap Venezuela protests

[Zorro]

It is Carnaval time in Venezuela, when revelers typically fill the streets in rum-powered dance parties leading up to Tuesday’s Mardi Gras blowout.

And after two weeks of deadly street demonstrations against his government, embattled President Nicolás Maduro would like nothing more than for the country to go numb on booze and rumba. A social media campaign pushed by his supporters, #ConMaduro­CarnavalSeguro (“a safe Carnaval with Maduro”), is promoting the government as the official guarantor of the good times.

So, then: To party or to protest?

For the student-led uprising that has convulsed Venezuelan cities but is showing signs of fatigue, that is the question.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/carnaval-could-sap-venezuela-protests/2014/02/26/50088b96-9f10-11e3-878c-65222df220eb_story.html

[Warpy]

1. .... or increase them

Booze and rumba will only disinhibit them, making ordinarily reticent people join the shouting and rock throwing.

It could go both ways, actually.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. look like Maduro guessed wrong again n/t

[Bacchus4.0]

3. reporting low beach turnout for holidays

"nothing to celebrate"

http://www.el-carabobeno.com/portada/articulo/76611/playas-continan-casi-vacas-este-sbado-de-carnaval