100 euros for a Zara queue number

[Bacchus4.0]

http://infovnzla.com/2014/07/29/100-euros-for-a-zara-queue-number/

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Venezuela is now living the new version of the Cuban Special Period from the nineties, when suitcases arrived to the island full with staple products. But with a crucial difference: Cuba was adapting to a new life without Soviet subsidy, while Venezuela is the richest Latin American country with the largest oil reserves on the planet. It produces over 2.5 million of barrels per day, in a black-gold bonanza: almost $ 100 per barrel.

Wednesday

No deodorant, or coffee, or cancer drugs

A long list of requests from friends, something unthinkable in the past, fills my suitcase when returning from Colombia. The “beautiful revolution”, if it ever was, shows today its most gaunt face once you land at Maiquetia airport. Nobody asks for García Márquez books, Evelio Rosero’s boom novel or Juan Valdez’ new coffee creation. Not even the tricolor jersey, so trendy these days thanks to James Rodriguez’ goals in the World Cup. Only what is really needed, Latino shame doesn’t matter right now.

Like Alex Vasquez, a star reporter for El Nacional, who couldn’t find a simple deodorant spray for weeks. “I have one that is running out”, he recalled before I left. “Who would have imagined this happening in Venezuela?”, he questioned after incorporating the Colombian product to his toiletries bag. Teresa wanted a deodorant, an intimate soap “that I can’t find anywhere” and “tasty coffee from Colombia”. She owns a spa, but the steam bath doesn’t work (one mechanical piece is missing). The hydro tub was dry for six months for the same reason. Now in her free time she jumps from one side to another in the city in search for the basic food basket for her family.

According to a research done by a local newspaper, it takes three days and seven hours in line to buy it. Alexandrina Rodriguez was missing a bulb for her Samsung TV, but it was “impossible to find it in Caracas”. She also receives with joy items that have become a luxury: condensed milk, olive oil, cereals with oats and brown sugar.

Others chose medicine: there is a shortage of antibiotics. Not to mention antiretrovirals (between 11 and 19 are missing every month) or cancer drugs (17 of the most important are missing). There aren’t any reagents, needles are missing and Mrs. Rosita, an old lady from the neighborhood, couldn’t get a simple x-ray. Women might as well forget about fighting urinary tract infections.

[COLGATE4]

1. The fact that a nation as rich as Venezuela should be

in such a state of utter disrepair and shortages is a testimony to the absolute incompetence and total ruthlessness of the 'Guardians of the Bolivarian Revolution' who have managed to transform a modern, successful and wealthy country into a second Cuba in a short 15 years.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. And there are people who deify Hugo despite that reality n/t

[COLGATE4]

3. Maybe a little bird speaks to them, too. nt

[flamingdem]

4. Where do Venezuelans go when they get passports?

Are they given Visas to the US? I would imagine that those Visas are very restricted or do they get special treatment?

[Marksman_91]

5. I'm Venezuelan and currently have a US student visa to study in FIU.

At least now as long as you're not involved with anything to do with the government, you can still get visas to go anywhere, really.

[Bacchus4.0]

6. Of course. People with means get visas, poor people don't. Thats how it works n/t

s

[flamingdem]

7. A woman I know in Peru, with her own business and family money

wasn't able to get a Visa to the USA.

Thinking the rules are more lax for Venezuelans. Maybe a college degree is sought? She had the money if they asked for that - quotas must have some bearing as well.

[Bacchus4.0]

8. Quotas probably have more bearing since the principle criterion for granting visas is finances

I'd think a college degree is not a criterion for visa selection absent finances. In fact, someone with a degree but not sufficient money in the bank or invested might be more likely to try to obtain employment in the US and not return to their home country and therefore receive more scrutiny.