In liberty, but in parole

When I think about the terrible dictatorship of Venezuela and the frustration that all of 4 million migrants, refugees and those who are still living there, I compare it to paying a sentence outside a prison but under certain conditions. Like being in parole, here in the United States.

I ask myself: What crime did us, the citizens of good, ever commit? When will this sentence ever end? What can we do to be free? If anything, for that matter.

We are victims of a nefarious regime plagued by corruption, mafia and drug trafficking that keeps kidnapped all the powers and freedoms in our country, all but one: "freedom of thought."

The Constitution of Venezuela establishes, in Article 57, that everyone has the right to express their thoughts, ideas or opinions – whether that to be by writing or by any other form of expression, and use any means of communication and dissemination, without establishing censorship.

However, the entire world, and us Venezuelans are witnessing right now, how the Chavista government has closed down several news outlets, and has censored, persecuted, tortured and even murdered journalists, and anyone who dares to think differently from them.

Freedom of thought leads to freedom of expression. Both correlate to one another.

The dictatorship is not comfortable with the fact that every day we are more Venezuelans free of thought. To attempt against this is to deny one of the essential dimensions of man, and it is absurd that a political regime wants to impose its own thinking on those who desist from it.

Just feel a melody of the musical master Simon Diaz, a work of the artist Cruz Diez, the seasoning of our food, the spontaneity, the human warmth of our people and thus, thousands of reasons to be proud of being Venezuelans, with the national tricolor in the blood, waving in the mind and beating in the heart.

Do not give up. From anywhere in the world where you are, raise your voice to achieve the restoration of Democracy in our beloved Venezuela. Down chains!

Shirley Vasquez

Enero 3, 2020

Libertad condicional

Cuando pienso en la terrible dictadura de Venezuela y la frustracion que sentimos mas de 4 millones de migrantes, refugiados y los que aun continuan alla, lo comparo al hecho de pagar una sentencia fuera de la prision bajo ciertas condiciones.

Cuestiono: Que delito cometimos los ciudadanos de bien? Cuando terminara la condena? Que podemos hacer para ser libres?

Somos victimas de un regimen nefasto plagado de corrupcion, mafia y narcotrafico que mantiene secuestrado todos los poderes y libertades en nuestro pais, todos, excepto uno: “la libertad de pensamiento”.

La Constitución de Venezuela en el Artículo 57, establece que toda persona tiene derecho a expresar libremente sus pensamientos, ideas u opiniones de viva voz, por escrito o por cualquier otra forma de expresión y utilizar cualquier medio de comunicación y difusión, sin que se establezca censura.

Sin embargo, los venezolanos y el mundo entero, hemos sido testigo de como el gobierno chavista ha cerrado medios de comunicacion, ha censurado, perseguido, torturado, asesinado a periodistas, y a todo aquel que se atreva a pensar distinto.

La libertad de pensamiento trae como consecuencia la libertad de expresion.

A la dictadura, le incomoda que cada dia seamos mas, los venezolanos libres de pensamiento. Atentar contra esto, es negar una de las dimensiones esenciales del hombre y resulta absurdo que un regimen político quiera imponer su propio pensamiento a quienes desisten de el.

Basta con sentir una melodia del maestro Simon Diaz, una obra de Cruz Diez, la sazon de nuestra comida, la espontaneidad, el calor humano de nuestra gente y asi, miles de motivos para estar orgullosos de ser venezolanos, con el tricolor nacional en la sangre, ondeando en la mente y latiendo en el corazon.

No te rindas. Desde cualquier lugar en el mundo donde te encuentres, alza tu voz hasta lograr el restablecimiento de la Democracia en nuestra amada Venezuela. Abajo cadenas!

Shirley Vasquez

Enero 3, 2020