Venezuela | Economists targeted by the government

Venezuela’s autocratic president Nicolás Maduro repressed the opposition. However, imprisoned judges and politicians, and even arrested from American citizens to put pressure during international negotiations.

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He now targets a profession that seemed little risky in Venezuela: economists.

The government seeks to control the discourse on the financial crisis which worsens in. Meanwhile, Venezuela by targeting independent experts who publish data on the economy in free fall in the country.

venezuela | economists targeted government

According to a rights for defense of rights. Meanwhile, around twenty economists and other persons related to the dissemination of financial data have been arrested for two months, which the government confirms.

“Essentially. Therefore, they shoot the messenger,” says Phil Gunson, analyst at the International Crisis Group, who has lived in Venezuela for two decades.

For years, the central bank of Venezuela has not published reliable data on key indicators such as inflation. Similarly, These are independent economists who fill these shortcomings with estimates.

“This is the economic theory of the bell fairy. However, ” says analyst Phil Gunson about Nicolás Maduro’s will to suffocate any economic news. Similarly, “If you believe in it, then its light continues to shine. In addition, »»

This repression venezuela | economists targeted government worries economists and managers of financial information websites. Furthermore, Even those who live abroad are afraid of expressing themselves, fearing reprisals against family and employees.

Among the economists arrested. Similarly, Rodrigo Cabezas, 69, former Minister of Finance and Professor of Economy, was once part of the ruling party before moving away from it and criticizing Mr. Maduro’s economic policy.

According to her daughter. Rodna Cabezas, men presenting venezuela | economists targeted government themselves as agents of the National Electricity Society sounded at home on June 3, in Maracaibo, in northwestern Venezuela, pretending a technical problem. They asked his father to accompany them to resolve him.

But his father called him shortly after to tell him that it was a trap. that he was held by the intelligence services. His family has not heard from him since he has received no information from the government.

“We don’t know where they took her,” says Rodna Cabezas.

Venezuela | economists targeted government

“Dollar parallel” – Venezuela | economists targeted government

The Venezuelan economy collapsed about ten years ago. under the effect of poor management by the state and American sanctions.

Faced with hyperinflation at 300. 000 % (in 2019) and the massive devaluation of the national currency, the venezuela | economists targeted government Bolivar, the Venezuelans fell to the US dollar.

Most people ignore the official Bolivar exchange rate. rely at the unofficial rate of the “parallel dollar”, published by websites like Monitor Dólar, which reflects the real value of the dollar in the street.

The rate set by the central bank shows the Bolivar a little stronger than it is actually. to create a more favorable image of the economy. However. according to analysts, inflation is increasing, the Bolivar is down and the Venezuelans venezuela | economists targeted government paid in Bolivars struggle to exchange them for dollars.

Delete data. control information

“The Dollar-Bolivar exchange rate is one of the key variables that the government is trying to control,” said Mr. Gunson.

According to him. the government believes that he can counter the depreciation of the Bolivar by silencing economists who communicate the real exchange rate. Moreover. even precise data on inflation is no longer disseminated by the government, which is now attacking economists daring to do so.

Other countries in South America, such as Argentina, have already distorted economic data in times of crisis.

According to experts. the repression of economists and independent financial groups is part of the strategy of the Maduro government aimed at deleting data and to muzzle any dissent in venezuela | economists targeted government order to control public opinion.

The Venezuelan government has not published any epidemiological statistics since 2016 and keeps data on infant mortality caused by hunger, renowned.

Under the chairmanship of Joe Biden, the United States had relaxed oil sanctions-which had worsened the country’s finances. We hoped to encourage the regime to hold free elections. Sharupting inflation, basic venezuela | economists targeted government necessities have become more affordable, and poverty has retreated.

But last year, Mr. Maduro declared himself a winner of elections considered to be faked by many governments, including that of the United States.

President Donald Trump has since imposed new sanctions. revoked the license allowing Chevron to do business in Venezuela, whose economy is based on oil. (This license was granted again on July 24.)

According to observers, economic slump undermines the morale of the Venezuelans, who doubt that the government can find a solution.

Two still detained economists

According to the organization of defense of the Rights Provena. five economists were arrested between May 29 and June 5. Three have been released, but the other two, including Rodrigo Cabezas, are still detained. The State venezuela | economists targeted government gives no information on their fate or what is accused of.

At least 20 people linked to Monitor Dólar were arrested for broadcasting the course of the parallel dollar. according to the right arm of Maduro and Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello.

Monitor Dólar. other financial sites have closed under pressure from the government, as is the Cryptocurrency El Dorado platform, which allowed users to exchange their bolivars for dollars.

“I assume the responsibility for any negative impact generated by the application. ” said Guillermo Goncalvez, one of the founders of El Dorado, in a video.

This article was published in the New York Times.

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