By Carlos Marquez
Secretary of State John Kerry recently expressed the clearest American concern yet over the ruin of Venezuela at the hands of its’ President Nicolas Maduro. Speaking at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), Kerry rightly criticized a regime which has overseen Venezuela’s descent into abject poverty and threatened to consign Venezuelan democracy to history.
El Secretario de Estado John Kerry expresó recientemente la preocupación de USA sobre la ruina de Venezuela en manos de su presidente, Nicolás Maduro. En su intervención en la Asamblea General de la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA), Kerry criticó con razón, un régimen que ha supervisado el descenso de Venezuela en la pobreza extrema y amenazando con consignar la democracia venezolana a la historia.
Kerry admirably called for the release of political prisoners, jailed purely for their opposition to Maduro. Equally importantly, he demanded respect for freedom of expression and action to alleviate the crippling shortages which have left Venezuelans struggling to feed their families. Most importantly perhaps, Kerry backed the popular demand for a lawful referendum on Maduro’s rule by a Venezuelan people rapidly losing all hope.
Kerry admirablemente pidió la liberación de los presos políticos, encarcelados exclusivamente por su oposición a Maduro. Igualmente importante, exigió respeto a la libertad de expresión y de acción para aliviar la escasez paralizante que ha llevado a los venezolanos a luchar por alimentar a sus familias. Lo más importante quizás, Kerry respaldó la demanda popular de un referéndum lícito para el pueblo venezolano que pierden rápidamente toda esperanza.
All of this is to be applauded. Venezuela is in a desperate and dangerous state. In recent months, infrequent power cuts have turned into severe rationing of electricity. Long supermarket lines have transformed into a frantic and increasingly deadly scramble for food. Medical shortages have become so severe that 95 per cent of hospitals are suffering a dangerous shortage of supplies. The high cost in lives is already underway. Babies are needlessly dying in hospitals, while at least four people were killed in food riots in June, as desperation takes on an Orwellian tone. Social order is precariously poised to collapse at any moment. Venezuela is facing a race against time before it implodes. read more
