VenEconomy: Crying Out for Wisdom in Venezuela From the Editors of VenEconomy Latin American Herald Tribune March 24, 2015
While the government of Nicolás Maduro continues to sideline the Venezuelan population in the alley of hopelessness, frustration and humiliation, sectors of national and international public opinion are crying out for the return of coexistence and civility in the country.
Now the cry comes from the Central University of Venezuela’s Red de Apoyo Psicológico (network of emotional support) and the Venezuelan Psychologists Federation, whose members have "expressed their deep concern over the psychosocial risks associated with the current economic, political and social situation of the country, which is the result of various circumstances that impact the daily lives of citizens."
They pointed out that there are countless factors that today influence the "physical and psychological health of citizens, thus generating anguish, fear, anxiety, depression, anger, psychosomatic disorders, insecurity about the future, aggressiveness, hopelessness, apathy, personal withdrawal and reduction of activities in shared spaces."
Among other factors, they cited an alarming decline in the purchasing power resulting from an out-of-control inflation; the general shortages and excessive long hours dedicated by citizens to buy basic goods; a deterioration of the healthcare system and severe shortages of medicines and medical supplies; the worsening of polarization and the damage to coexistence; an increase in crime and social, judicial and police violence; growing corruption and impunity, an atmosphere of constant tension in the political confrontation and an escalation of violent speeches.
They claim that "the frequency and intensity of these emotions are causing changes in the behavior of Venezuelans, where the integrity of others and even our own is being affected."
Added to this are three facts that are alarming the psychologists of the two mental health institutions: 1) The authorization for the use of lethal weapons on the part of state security bodies in their attempt to control citizen protests, with unfortunate consequences for the victims. 2) The various complaints related to the intentional and planned use of a "psychological war" against the Government and the Venezuelan people. 3) The allegations of "psychological torture" to political detainees.
They warned about the mental health disorders seen today in the Venezuelan population, which are considered "a matter of public health due to a prolonged exposure to an acute atmosphere of polarization and socio-political conflict that causes pain, anguish, anger, fear, helplessness and hopelessness, among other conditions."
They also warned about the "improper use of psychological categories and concepts to justify or legitimize government policies or party-political actions, aimed at promoting division and confrontation among Venezuelans."
They are demanding the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate a series of complaints about "psychological and physical torture" and identify those responsible.
And they demanded the government of Maduro and all the political leaders of this country to "avoid using a language of war, of constant confrontation, of dehumanization of the adversary and criminalization of citizen protest," as well as refrain from making "accusations and pronouncements that don’t come with the appropriate evidence."
In rejecting "social and political violence as a means to resolve historical and political differences among the peoples due to its huge social, economic, political costs in terms of deaths, poverty, and human rights violations," they urge all citizens, public and private organizations, in particular government officials and members of all political movements to "join their efforts to find, in a peaceful, democratic, and consensual way – from the recognition of our socio-political diversity – the answers and solutions that will lead us to return to the path of peace and coexistence in democracy."
Will this be another loud cry that will go unheard just for the sake of imposing the so-called "Plan for the Homeland" in Venezuela?
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