Camila Fernandez/Staff Writer
Andreina Fernandez, a doctoral student, said she calls her family in Venezuela to let them know that arms are being raised five blocks from their home.
“They don’t know,” said Fernandez.“The national means of communication have been taken by the state.”
Fernandez was one of about 140 students who attended the Latin American and Caribbean Center’s Feb. 25th panel on Venezuela that included professors with areas of expertise in mass communications, social media, human rights, political motives, international relations and security.
Astrid Arraras, a political science professor, led the discussion and spoke on how the opposition has taken the option to protest in the streets rather than wasting time and waiting for an opportunity through its constitution.
Leaders of the opposition have gained support from University students who have been carrying out protests and marches since Feb. 12.
“Students have died in these events and President Nicolas Maduro claims that ‘this is all an attempt to overthrow me. Miami, the United States; they all want to get rid of me,’” Arraras said.
Fernandez said Maduro does not have the “capacity to control the country and manipulate it the way Chavez did.”
“I don’t think that getting rid of Maduro is the solution for the problem,” she said. “We need to get rid of the entire government and that needs a transition toward becoming a democratic country. This government is neither communist nor socialist.”
Frank Mora, LACC director, noted that political change in transition to democracy occurs when members of the elite, the coalition or institutions that are associated with the regime begin to defect. He said when they begin to withdraw their support, the country will start to see change.
“These sustained, important student protests are necessary, but not a sufficient element for change,” Mora said. “A perfect example of that is Ukraine.”
“I imagine that we’re starting to see fissures and cracks within the regime,” Mora said. “They’re making small calculations. Should I make a deal with Capriles? Because I’m willing to dump this guy Maduro.”
Mora said Cubans may be willing to dump Maduro for Henrique Capriles, State of Miranda governor and former presidential candidate against Chavez, if Capriles is willing to make a deal for continued support of oil to the island.
“I don’t know if Capriles is prepared,” Fernandez said. “I don’t know if Capriles is the person. The people were left very disappointed last year when we went to elections, which were robbed, and Capriles didn’t ask for protests.”
She said such protests should have occurred last year when there were claims that votes were stolen by the government for Maduro’s gain.
“You can’t negotiate with this state,” Fernandez said. “This is not a dialogue. This is a monologue. The government talks and does whatever it wants to. There does not exist any agreement.”
Arraras noted that Maduro tried to have dialogue with the opposition, but the opposition declined.
“Of course, he chooses the place and what will be done,” she said. “The opposition cannot accept this invitation under the circumstances that are placed.”
Venezuela is not only fighting internal conflict, but it is struggling to find external help.
According to Felix Martin, international relations professor, countries including Cuba, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador and Nicaragua have benefited from Venezuela’s past economy, leaving them “defenseless” to demand change against the country.
“No one wants to come out clearly and openly and criticize the abuse against the students and workers,” Martin said. “It is not politically correct and therefore they would be suffering from economic help from Venezuela.”
And despite increased involvement of mass communications, Manuel Gomez, a law professor, said there is a lot of censorship in Venezuela prohibiting coverage of the conflict.
Fernandez agreed with Gomez.
“Nationally, there does not exist ‘news,’” said Fernandez, who has to communicate what is going on to her family in Venezuela.
“Eventually, I imagine that they’ll even cut that,” she said, referring to her communication with family.
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