One thing I learned about Venezulea , whatever the USA media says about it’s politics…it is probably the rightwing corporate propaganda’s point of view and I must search wider for the truth. Why ? because the former president , Chavez snatched the privately owned oil companies and made them property of the state 12 years ago because they failed to pay taxes. This was such a bold move against the 1% that the privileged staged a coup and kidnapped Chavez but the guards eventually let the protestors in the palace and the people got their leader back. Under Chavez’ leadership, life improved for the masses and finally gave them a voice. When he died last year , the new president Maduro plans on using the same humanitarian policies bringing up the people…….less kids eating out of the trash, securing shacks built on top of shacks up a mountain so they won’t topple from erosion, etc… The news is polar opposite of US papers I’ve read. This is the reason I decided to go there myself …so when asked to deeejay …I jumped at the chance 4 years ago. The conservative privledged people complained that Chavez wanted a 25 year term….and that sounds fascist…but once I saw the level of poverty , i realized it would take 25 years atleast to bring Caracas out of these dreadful living conditions that the corporate greed and corruption from before the Chavez era had caused. Everywhere I went I saw support of Chavez except in the exclusive wealthy nite club where I played…who by the way..told me at the end….since you are a Chavista…we will let you live in poverty where you belong and refused to pay me !!! On another note……..when the promotor asks for a FUNK SET they really mean hardcore minimal TECHNO ! ha ha ! These privledged kids I met where afraid to take me to the “ghetto” but I managed to go there and see for myself what they chose to shut out of their lives. ….anyway….when I hear about any social unrest in Venezuela…. i turn to the U.K.’s Guardian to get a balanced picture about what’s going on there today…..and from what I gather it seems the country’s majority voted for the new leader, Maduro and his Chavezta policies ( for ALL the people) but when he won there was a protest against him by the privileged class. The votes were recounted and it became clear that Maduro did in fact win. A large demonstration of support was held for Maduro (in the picture above)…..however approx 1000 people , some say it’s only the rich people , disagreed and prefer to oust him . The small group of protestors, much like the oil industry backed coup which temporarily ousted Chavez years ago , are apparently using violence and seem to prefer a fascist leader over Maduro. The majority of people and surrounding countries want Maduro. As I am living in NY…there is little chance to know the full story…but from reading the Guardian…and my own experience… let the majority of voters decide and keep Maduro in office. this is my 2 cents. Don’t believe everything you read…including this…I’m not studying political science or history ..… but keep questioning reality , search to find the facts and make your own opinion before you decide what you’ll do. I’m going to the art museum before the Gaultier exhibit closes today. - lady miss Kier