In Venezuela, it’s no longer surprising to see a president sending his troops to steal or invade what belongs to others. Hugo Chávez had already done it, as have many before him. It’s not new to witness the chavista mob taking the orders of their leaders literally. Many were shocked by what happened at DAKA, perhaps because they’ve been living in a parallel reality. What occurred at DAKA is not an isolated incident. Every day, millions of Venezuelans apply a version of what happened at DAKA, according to their abilities and circumstances. Taking advantage of the black market, or “cadivear,” is no different from looting DAKA. The only difference is that instead of raiding stores, the national treasury is pilfered without anyone tearing bills on the way out. Skipping lines at banks is akin to looting DAKA, as it undermines the rights of those who wait patiently. Stealing electricity or water is a direct attack on the sustainability of the companies providing those services. Inflating prices robs someone’s wallet, making them pay more than they otherwise would for goods or services. Wasting or stealing public funds is robbing the country’s future. Paying tolls, commissions, or bribes steals the chances of having a fair interaction with corrupt officials. Financing the opposition, when the funds come from overpricing contracts with the regime, is looting the weakened opposition. Tweeting against the regime while collecting populist handouts from it starves one’s own dignity. Voting with the Smartmatic machines and the CNE—no one audits—loots the credibility of both electoral results and those irresponsible enough to claim the system “has been sufficiently audited.” In Venezuela, everyone is involved in some form of looting, and those who aren’t are not unwilling but unable.
Where are the principled individuals? Where are those who refuse to greet, befriend, or ostracize those profiting from the regime? Where are those who oppose the hypocrisy of both the regime and the opposition? Where are the ones who morally refuse to profit from the state? Where are those who say no to crumbs, relying solely on their own efforts for survival? How many of those chasing travel perks just to squeeze a handful of dollars from CADIVI, who call themselves opposition, can look in the mirror and honestly say that the improper use of resources aligns with their supposed political stance? In other words, where is the consistency of those who claim to detest the regime yet exploit its giveaways as soon as they can?
Venezuela is DAKA, and everyone is looting it in one way or another. This isn’t new; it’s as old as our battered republic. First came the Spaniards, the so-called conquerors, who only conquered the poor, morally vacant psyche of those already living there. Then, creoles born to “fortunate” families only replicated and spread the model, making it popular. Since then, anyone who can, whether born into a “lucky” family or not, educated or not, loots to the best of their ability. Some keep up appearances; others don’t, but almost everyone is seizing opportunities, keeping alive the desire to loot whatever can be, whenever possible.
Someone recently told me that Venezuela is a minefield. Indeed, those who aren’t limping on one leg are on the other, and if not, they have a brother, family member, or dear friend who is. It’s a society of accomplices, and that complicity, deeply rooted in the Venezuelan psyche, has brought us to where we are. This can’t even be labeled a moral crisis, as there has never been a moral fabric. When Gómez said, “give them opportunity and let’s wait for them to fight among themselves,” he was exploiting this very idiosyncrasy. When Chávez established his populism, he did the same: bonds and placements for bankers, CADIVI for the middle class, and missions for the poor—everyone benefited.
Chavismo will fall, and who knows what will follow. We’ll witness another shuffle. The power will be seized by different groups of looters. Does anyone believe that the departure of chavismo will end the corruption, commissions, and overpricing? Does anyone think a new government, whatever its leanings, will bring forth a new idiosyncrasy?