A random story, but the NYT recently covered grave-robbing in Caracas, which is apparently on the rise, and as are many negative social indicators there these days. The bones are sold for use in a religion called Palo, originating with Cubans who migrated to Venezuela decades ago.
Some of those interviewed for the story wonder if this is a further example of societal breakdown in the country’s capital. It does make one wonder what norms now exist within the city. Having lived for a year in Caracas, there appears to be aggressive undertone to many social interactions.
On the other hand, there exist moments and places of tranquility in the Venezuelan capital. For example, each Tuesday and Thursday evening hundreds gather to practice yoga at a government-owned park, Centro de Arte La Estancia, in the Floresta neighborhood. With each passing month the number of people grows as the word gets out about this hour of stretching and meditation. The park – meticulously maintained with gardens and a fresh-trimmed lawn – is a tranquil refuge within the city, only a stone wall away from the traffic and commotion on Avenida Francisco de Miranda. Unlike numerous country clubs accessible only to the political and economic elite, La Estancia is completely open to the public. Each month it hosts numerous cultural opportunities in dance and music.
There is room for criticism of the Venezuelan government, but La Estancia, restored and supported by PDVSA, should serve as alternative evidence of a more complex narrative. And it provides a peace that is hard to come by for those buried at local cemeteries.
A few months ago, I wrote about the early stages of the conflict in Ukraine through the lens of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. While it appears likely that the war will carry on into the foreseeable future, enough time has passed for us to make an honest assessment of each side’s relative […]
The Ukrainian Army has made dramatic strides in the last few weeks. Ukraine’s tactical commanders have outfoxed their Russian counterparts, and by issuing a feint towards the south the UA has been able to earn substantial gains in the north of their country. The impact of these efforts have been compounded by the steady stream […]
In mid-May the Irish political party, Sinn Féin, won the plurality of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Many American readers might not fully understand the significance of Sinn Féin’s political victory- but rest assured that subjects of the United Kingdom and a wide range of political movements the world over have heard the message […]
The first wave of the Russian offensive in Ukraine has fallen short of Russian autocrat Vladmir Putin’s ambitions. Most analysts deduced that Putin had hoped to achieve a decapitation strike of the Ukrainian government- taking Kiev and replacing Ukrainian President Vladimir Zolinski with a pro-Kremlin voice. Kiev has been threatened repeatedly through the course of […]
On the weekend of March 26th, the notorious MS-13 gang went on a massive killing spree in El Salvador which left more than 70 people dead by Sunday. Even for a country where powerful gangs hold massive sway, this recent tragedy stands out considering that it was the bloodiest day on record since the civil […]
