If you ever wondered what life was really like in a
post-collapse society, look no further than Venezuela. Today, I’d like to
share a first-hand report of everyday life there.
The country has been on the way down since a socialist
government destroyed the economy. Here’s a quick timeline:
- Private ownership of guns was banned in 2012. Then things began to go downhill
in a hurry.
- In 2013,
preppers were relabeled “hoarders” and the act of stocking up became
illegal.
- In 2014,
the government instituted a fingerprint registry for those who wished to
buy food to ensure they didn’t take more than their “share.”
- In 2015, things began to devolve more
quickly as electricity began to be rationed and farmers were forced to turn over their
harvests to the government.
- 2016 brought the announcement that folks were on their own – there was simply not enough
food. As well, despite the rationing, an electricity shortage was announced.
- 2016 also brought the news that the country was out of everything: food, medicine, and nearly all basic necessities. People
were dying of starvation and malnourishment made other illnesses even
worse. Hyperinflation brought exorbitant prices, like $150 for a dozen eggs.
- Now, civil war is near (if not already happening.) They’re calling it “protests”
but violence between the people and the government is ongoing. This rage
is stoked by wealthy Venezuelans who enjoy luxurious meals, fabulous parties, and lush accommodations
while the rest of the country struggles to find a bag of rice they can
afford. Let them eat cake?
It appears there is no end in sight to the tribulations
of the Venezuelans.
So, what is day-to-day life like for the average
Venezuelan?
A reader from Venezuela took the time to comment and tell
us what life is really like there. You can find her story below. (I’ve edited
for spacing to make them easier to read, but please keep in mind that English
is a second language.)
Daisy Thank you so much for this content.
I’m a venezuelan mom of a 1 year old baby. And we are
living a war here 😔.
You can’t go outside to buy food or supplies or medication
because each activity is a high risk and more with a baby. So I stay home as
much as I can. There are a lot people outside trying to live normaly, trying
to go to work and buy foods and continue there lives. But when you are
working or whatever thing your doing you dont know is you will be able to
come back home safe… people continues to work to get whatever miserable pay
to buy some food. Everything is so expensive. Perhaps the beans and rice are
affordable but still not cheap and is so hard to find food. options are
limited because of the price… you can only buy one item or two of pasta,
Everything is so expensive. Perhaps the beans and rice
are affordable but still not cheap and is so hard to find food. options are
limited because of the price… you can only buy one item or two of pasta,
rice, like I say the less expensive food , and you have to wait in long long
lines at your own risk because there are a lot of fights in this store.
imagine tones of people wanting to buy the same product. this have being
worst since perhaps about 5 years now… because of scarcity. Malls and big
stores are
Malls and big stores are basicly alone because there are
places where “colectivos” use to attack, with bombs and there is a group of
about 40 men in motorcicles that have been creating chaos in the whole city,
every day the take the city they have plenty of arms and the just go through
the city shooting building houses, stealing stores, people on the streets,
batteries of cars, everything the want… this situation is far worst that we
ever imagine. they kill people every day and they are pay mercenaries from
the goverment because no one does nothing. the
the goverment people is also killing inocents. kids…
teenagers, the youth. we are panicking. We bough a land 3 years ago. I got
pregnant and we decided to wait. the land is a safe zone but is 5 hours from
here. is a very small town 11. 000 people. I live ib a city with about 3
million people. at least for now the town are peaceful but there isnt
electricity and the isnt an asfalt road so this doesnt sound lovely for thief
that are now looking for biggest fish to cash. according to our neighbours
the town is in calm nothing has happen. We need to go as soon as possible. I
am scared because what you say is also true. But in the city there are no
options at least not now. . what do you thnk we should do? I realize
appreciate what you recommend.
I’m sorry for my bad english I’m trying to write this
while playing with my baby.
Venezuelan houses are already bunkers. This has being
like this ever since I can remember. Perhaps 20 years… Every regular house is
made like bunkers. Pure concrete from the botton to the walls to everything.
Every house has also 2 to 3 security doors really big and heavy ones and on
top of that we have fences and electric fences on top Of BIG GATES.
And trust me is not enough to be safe.
The army has damaged gates and has entry to different
houses looking for students, or rebelds… and also innocents people has died
because they were sadly in the middle of this events. I don’t doubt that
country land might have problems too. But so far cities are pure
anarky and maddness.
There are several groups creating chaos… the army, the
mercenaries, the thiefs, and the rebels that want to kill chavismo and
politics and whatever on their way. A few days they put a bomb into a propane
gas distribution cargo and it blew away and this have being affecting every
single thing, they steal cargo transporting food or gas and even fuel… so
there is no much to do now.
Communities in the city are not organize since they
really need to find food and basic resources so each indivual is waiting in
long lines to buy a bread or a medicine or whatever they need… and people
doesnt want to organize they dont see this could go like this for years… I
assume that we got used to live in some sort of chaos and violence.
But the true is most people is praying and just wishing
this will pass soon. that this will pass as the moment a new presindent
arrive.
And what if it doesnt? Let’s be clear that we have so
many resources, and Canadá and USA are pulling all of the gold and all
minerals now so no country really matters what we are suffering as long as
they can get they way.
We really feel hopeless.
Dear Ale,
Thank you for sharing your story. Here’s my advice:
If you can safely get out of the city, the time to do it
is now. When I said I was moving from the country into town, the move was not to a major city with millions of people, but a
much smaller one. I went from living a mile from my neighbors to a suburban
neighborhood where we chat over the fence and share fresh vegetables and
barbecues.
In a small town like you describe, you will have
neighbors, hopefully some unity, and be able to be more self-reliant without
as much risk as the place where you live now. Being on your own with a small
child in a situation like this is hard and dangerous. Try to make friends so
that you have some support. If you have extended family, consider that
relocating to them might be another option.
The journey will be difficult, but I sincerely hope that
you will be able to get there with your baby and find some peace and safety.
Please know that you and your child will be in many hearts and prayers after
this.
Keep us posted if you can.
Love,
Daisy
The following article was originally published by Daisy Luther at The
Organic Prepper
