It is the moment for solidarity with Venezuela. The time will come to put criticisms on the table, if necessary. But right now, it is time to show empathy and offer all possible help, each one the help they can within their means.
I have seen and heard critical opinions in these days regarding the economic situation in which the Maduro Government —in reality with only one difference compared to the current one: Maduro himself— left the country. But I insist: it is not the time.
The news coming from Venezuela is devastating due to the magnitude of the catastrophe. It is starting to be taken for granted that, unfortunately, the number of deceased will rise to several thousand people, the injured will be at least double the deceased, and all of them will have to be added to a larger number of missing persons. In total, millions of Venezuelans will be affected by the earthquake and will need immediate and all kinds of help.
In light of this situation, the reaction of the international community is encouraging, from Argentina and Chile to Canada and the United States, passing through all of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The entire world has rallied around this disaster.
Also, the volunteers have set a huge example. No one has called them, nor coordinated their actions. But, as we have seen in other disasters, they have rushed to help openly, with their trucks, collecting medicines, water, or food, giving an example of civic solidarity that the authorities should take note of.
But let’s set that aside for now. The priorities now are the rescue and protection of the victims; the organization of aid and housing for those who have been left homeless, with nothing; and the prevention of the spread of diseases.
Once that is secured, it is urgent to rebuild for a population that was already living in poverty and is now surrounded by rubble.
That reconstruction will not be enough if it is not accompanied by a true economic recovery. Venezuelans have been living or rather, surviving day by day for too long to simply settle for the idea that we have helped rescue those buried under the rubble. They already need a true economic injection that rebuilds the country from top to bottom.
I am not suggesting that this means forgetting the abuses of those who misgoverned the country for two decades. What I am saying is that those responsibilities should be demanded after achieving what is important: to get the Venezuelan people out of the nightmare they have lived and that these earthquakes have only evidenced in all their harshness.
When that comprehensive reconstruction of the affected areas and the economic recovery of the entire country has been achieved, then we will be able to point out those responsible for the true Venezuelan catastrophe, which have not only been these earthquakes, and demand that they pay for what they have done to the country.
Now, it is sad to say, we have to think that this double earthquake could be an opportunity for Venezuela. The Trump Administration has taken a first step by lifting some of the sanctions it had imposed on the Caribbean country. But we need to go further. If a true medium-term recovery plan is put in place, economic growth could be much faster than under, let’s say, normal circumstances.
All of this will depend, fundamentally, on Donald Trump who, in yet another hyperbolic gesture, has already announced aid: $150 million! Okay, we’re talking about immediate aid for the most urgent needs. I can understand that. But I’m also talking about rebuilding a country that currently has a debt of $240 billion. And you’ll have to excuse me for expressing my systematic distrust of Donald Trump’s announcements, even though he has already boasted that, and I quote, “we’re making a lot of money off Venezuela.” It’s time to return that money to the country that generated it, if that’s even true.’s announcements.
Because Trump already experienced this with Puerto Rico in 2017, when Hurricane Maria devastated the island. In 2019, the website FactCheck.org compared what was said with what was done. Contrary to Trump’s claim—”Puerto Rico received $91 billion”—official data confirmed that the aid that reached Puerto Rico was $11.2 billion. We’ll see what the White House occupant is capable of doing for his “new great friends.” Hyperbole doesn’t put food on the table.
