Banking in Venezuela: Fall of the Boligarchs

[HAL 9000 96]

Don't know about that last sentence there Nick.

[scandal 951]

Hugo and Ahmadinejad - best buddies!

[NickD 203]

Don't know about that last sentence there Nick.

To change the US Constitution takes 2/3's from both congress and the senate then must be ratified by 3/4's of the states. In Venezuela, takes only a simple majority where only one vote can make the difference regardless of how low the turn out is.

I was there during an election, military vehicles were blocking the roads causing huge unbelievable traffic jams with Chavez's boy scouts carrying AK-47's. Not my war, not my fight, not a coward, didn't bother them, they didn't bother me. Wife was shocked as to what was happening to her country, and many of her friends live in fear. Grocery prices were unbelievable, only P.A.N. corn flour was reasonable, heard from my step son later, that the shelves of many grocery stores were near empty after we left. Wife has considerable property there, we may lose it, and trying are darnest to get her son out.

Venezuela is a beautiful country, ideal climate, with vast potential, many jobs can be created by letting manufacturers come in, but instead, unbelievable high tariffs. We are not permitted to take our money out of Venezuela, but can at a major loss with the black market. It's impossible to own a gun in Venezuela only by very special permit and better be a close friend of Hugo. He has got their people where he wants them, helpless.

[DEDixon 39]

haha LOL, they can't vote him out of office as long as the military leaders are backing him. as long as he continues lets the generals live in mansions and party like rock stars with lovely 18 year old honeys, they have no reason no to back him. the only forces hugo has to be concerned about are the military forces.

many a country's leadership are in power only with the blessing of the military.

[HAL 9000 96]

Don't know about that last sentence there Nick.

To change the US Constitution takes 2/3's from both congress and the senate then must be ratified by 3/4's of the states. In Venezuela, takes only a simple majority where only one vote can make the difference regardless of how low the turn out is.

I was there during an election, military vehicles were blocking the roads causing huge unbelievable traffic jams with Chavez's boy scouts carrying AK-47's. Not my war, not my fight, not a coward, didn't bother them, they didn't bother me. Wife was shocked as to what was happening to her country, and many of her friends live in fear. Grocery prices were unbelievable, only P.A.N. corn flour was reasonable, heard from my step son later, that the shelves of many grocery stores were near empty after we left. Wife has considerable property there, we may lose it, and trying are darnest to get her son out.

Venezuela is a beautiful country, ideal climate, with vast potential, many jobs can be created by letting manufacturers come in, but instead, unbelievable high tariffs. We are not permitted to take our money out of Venezuela, but can at a major loss with the black market. It's impossible to own a gun in Venezuela only by very special permit and better be a close friend of Hugo. He has got their people where he wants them, helpless.

I'm saying specifically from other Venezuelans I know that oppose Chavez that come from families with links to opposition movements there. Old Money. Some tactics have included making some people disappear just like Uribe's government does next door.

This brings me to my next observation about prices- one I hope to be able to put into effect myself by crossing over from Colombia perhaps next week when I travel for the end of the year... to visit parts of Venezuela you likely may not have visited outside the more wealthy areas of Caracas. All I can say is that in Colombia people travel to Chavez' Venezuela to stock up on products because they're cheaper in Venezuela.

Go figure.

[NickD 203]

We are headed down next February, not sure whether to bring some tools or food, but do pack some US bucks with me to sell them to the black market that gives us a 60% discount or whatever it is right now.

My experience in Bogota was that American foods run about 30% higher than here, but more like 500% in Caracas, But Bogota has thousands of small shops that offer better deals. Had a taste for a cinnamon roll in Caracas at a bakery, price was $4.57 US, so settled for an arepa instead. Also have to remember in both places, not to drink tap water.

[HAL 9000 96]

We are headed down next February, not sure whether to bring some tools or food, but do pack some US bucks with me to sell them to the black market that gives us a 60% discount or whatever it is right now.

My experience in Bogota was that American foods run about 30% higher than here, but more like 500% in Caracas, But Bogota has thousands of small shops that offer better deals. Had a taste for a cinnamon roll in Caracas at a bakery, price was $4.57 US, so settled for an arepa instead. Also have to remember in both places, not to drink tap water.

Tap water is fine in Bogotá as well as in Bucaramanga. The acquifer in Santander state is one of the world's safest.

So I notice why you noticed certain prices so inflated... when you look for things that are imported, you tend to see a higher price tag.

[NickD 203]

We are headed down next February, not sure whether to bring some tools or food, but do pack some US bucks with me to sell them to the black market that gives us a 60% discount or whatever it is right now.

My experience in Bogota was that American foods run about 30% higher than here, but more like 500% in Caracas, But Bogota has thousands of small shops that offer better deals. Had a taste for a cinnamon roll in Caracas at a bakery, price was $4.57 US, so settled for an arepa instead. Also have to remember in both places, not to drink tap water.

Tap water is fine in Bogotá as well as in Bucaramanga. The acquifer in Santander state is one of the world's safest.

So I notice why you noticed certain prices so inflated... when you look for things that are imported, you tend to see a higher price tag.

Was trying to compare apples with apples, or Kellog's with Kellog's in this case. Wife got a shock last night, cheaper to fly from Central Wisconsin to Caracas then to fly from Bogota to Caracas, and that doesn't include an extra $167.00 in airport tax we got hit with the last time we left Cararas that was just started recently. All of her family lives in Bogota with exception of her son. I suggested he move in with his grandma in Bogota and get the hell out of there, we are having a hell of a time bringing him here.

Also tried to convince her for what she paid for her properties compared to what she would have paid for renting them, she was far ahead, so can just write them off. But with the current recession, they appear to be extremely valuable. If we could sell them, can't even take that money out of the country under the current administration. Caracas was a good move for her as jobs were plentiful, she did work as an executive assistant for a large US based company, but practically all of her co-workers were laid off in the last couple of years, and only just a handful of people are left in that very large building. Chavez is rapidly killing the upper and middle class people in his country. The banks mentioned were not our banks where we still have some funds, but what about tomorrow?

Her daughter was 13 when she came here, kind of bitter about leaving all of her friends and country, but finally got a chance to go back when she was 18 for a couple of months. Thought she was going to stay there, but she came home and never wants to go back with an entirely different attitude. She is 20 now and working very hard at college. She saw the severe poverty her childhood friends are now in and how bitter they have become. My wife's friends are in a severe state of fear. Chavez really is driving that country into a deep hole and the people are helpless to do anything about it.

[NickD 203]

Same plane tickets from Bogota to Caracas are $657.00 here, $800.00 in Caracas, and $400.00 in Bogota. Were only $220.00 a couple of years ago.

[NickD 203]

Don't know about that last sentence there Nick.

To change the US Constitution takes 2/3's from both congress and the senate then must be ratified by 3/4's of the states. In Venezuela, takes only a simple majority where only one vote can make the difference regardless of how low the turn out is.

I was there during an election, military vehicles were blocking the roads causing huge unbelievable traffic jams with Chavez's boy scouts carrying AK-47's. Not my war, not my fight, not a coward, didn't bother them, they didn't bother me. Wife was shocked as to what was happening to her country, and many of her friends live in fear. Grocery prices were unbelievable, only P.A.N. corn flour was reasonable, heard from my step son later, that the shelves of many grocery stores were near empty after we left. Wife has considerable property there, we may lose it, and trying are darnest to get her son out.

Venezuela is a beautiful country, ideal climate, with vast potential, many jobs can be created by letting manufacturers come in, but instead, unbelievable high tariffs. We are not permitted to take our money out of Venezuela, but can at a major loss with the black market. It's impossible to own a gun in Venezuela only by very special permit and better be a close friend of Hugo. He has got their people where he wants them, helpless.

I'm saying specifically from other Venezuelans I know that oppose Chavez that come from families with links to opposition movements there. Old Money. Some tactics have included making some people disappear just like Uribe's government does next door.

This brings me to my next observation about prices- one I hope to be able to put into effect myself by crossing over from Colombia perhaps next week when I travel for the end of the year... to visit parts of Venezuela you likely may not have visited outside the more wealthy areas of Caracas. All I can say is that in Colombia people travel to Chavez' Venezuela to stock up on products because they're cheaper in Venezuela.

Go figure.

Was talking to my wife about this, which city in Venezuela are you buying your food from? She said her son near Caracas is practically using his entire paycheck just to buy food. We set up credit card payments to pay for the maintenance and utilities of my wife's condo so he doesn't have any housing expenses.

[HAL 9000 96]

He might spend more money traveling southwest than on any savings he might get from shopping... the region I will try to go check out is close to the Colombian city of Cúcuta. I believe the city itself is called San Cristobal.

I can't suggest on where to shop in Caracas as the last time I was there I was about 7 or 8, but something smells to me that perhaps the shoppers should be focusing on local products instead of the imported stuff with American branding to save some bolivares...

[NickD 203]

He might spend more money traveling southwest than on any savings he might get from shopping... the region I will try to go check out is close to the Colombian city of Cúcuta. I believe the city itself is called San Cristobal.

I can't suggest on where to shop in Caracas as the last time I was there I was about 7 or 8, but something smells to me that perhaps the shoppers should be focusing on local products instead of the imported stuff with American branding to save some bolivares...

That was just me comparing American products, hey, I am an American! But the price of Venezuelan meats and fish were also out of this world, practically became a vegetarian in our last trip down there. Wife is now thinking just about Bogota for our February visit, and flying to Caracas on a later date.

Please pass the beans, would you like another arepa?

[HAL 9000 96]

He might spend more money traveling southwest than on any savings he might get from shopping... the region I will try to go check out is close to the Colombian city of Cúcuta. I believe the city itself is called San Cristobal.

I can't suggest on where to shop in Caracas as the last time I was there I was about 7 or 8, but something smells to me that perhaps the shoppers should be focusing on local products instead of the imported stuff with American branding to save some bolivares...

That was just me comparing American products, hey, I am an American! But the price of Venezuelan meats and fish were also out of this world, practically became a vegetarian in our last trip down there. Wife is now thinking just about Bogota for our February visit, and flying to Caracas on a later date.

Please pass the beans, would you like another arepa?

Dude come down to Chicago... they sell PAN masa everywhere.