Venezuela crisis more complex than mainstream media is saying.

People are dying in the streets of Venezuela.  Mainstream media is abuzz about the turmoil. Protests both for, and against the government, are shown on the nightly news.   Those of you on the political right are always eager to side against what they are being told is a “repressive socialist regime”.  Those on the left, meanwhile are ever wary of United States business and political interests pulling the strings for yet another latin american coup.  It is rare that a country stands up to the United States.  For this reason alone, it is worth watching events unfold.  As always, It is crucial to do so with a skeptical eye as well.

In a situation as confusing as the current Venezuelan situation, I can only use the information I  gather and surmise from there.   So,  I do know that it is indisputable that Venezuela  is one of the most Democratic governments in the world.  I also know that  it has moved dramatically in the direction of being one of the most economically equitable countries in the world.  I can’t say as much on either account for the United States.

Jimmy Carter says election process in Venusuela is the best in the world

But what does any of this have to do with Motorcycles?   Well  Motorcycles are front and center in the streets of Caracas during the current unrest.  On January 31, 2014 about 2000 motorcycles swarmed the streets of Caracas to protest a proposed nighttime curfew on motorcycles as an anti-crime measure.  But in Venezuela, motorcycles have long been used to break up opposition rallies.   But they have also been used by poor people for transportation and by criminals as “hit” vehicles where a passenger will carry out assassinations.

One of the first to die in the recent protests in Caracas was a motorcyclist.   Opposition leaders have suggested that people string wires across roads at night to stop motorcyclists that are out trying to stop the violent protests at night.    One of the first to die in the  recent violence was a motorcyclists that was decapitated by one of these wires.   Watch Venusuala very carefully.  Please don’t accept the mainstream media’s simplifications.   While they are never very good, in this case they are even more misleading than usual.