The son of Mexican immigrants, Tonatiuh Arturo Gomez Arroyo, 45, was born and raised in Venezuela.
He was obliged to come to Mexico five years ago due to the deteriorating situation in his home country. He now lives in Guadalajara and works as a publicist. In an interview with TOM HOUDEBINE, Gomez tells his family’s story and shares his views on how the United States might intervene in Venezuela’s current situation.
How did your parents come to live in Venezuela?
My mother is from Puebla and my father is from Yucatan. They decided to go to Venezuela when the country was very prosperous and considered South America’s Saudi Arabia. They didn’t have much and wanted a better future. My father left with enough money to survive a week. He found a job immediately and was able to send for my mother and siblings after a month and a half.
Did they find the country and economic situation as they expected?
Yes. They achieved a much better lifestyle. Owning a business, a home, cars. The things one strives for in life.
When did they decide to leave and why?
Five years ago, still under (President) Hugo Chavez, when the situation had declined and the future looked very dark, my mother decided to return to Mexico. I came first to settle and find a home. After a year and a half I told her she could come with my sisters. But she hasn’t been able to leave the country.
Why is that?
Her Venezuelan passport expired and she is not allowed to exit the country with her Mexican passport. The Venezuelan government has made it very hard for people in certain areas to renew their passports, pushing them towards the black market where documents are insanely expensive.
From abroad what is your perception on the protests in Venezuela?
It is evident that the situation has gotten out of control. During Chavez’s last years, the situation was just sustainable due to the high price of oil. But since prices dropped dramatically the government receives a fraction of what it used to. It can’t sustain the populist machine and keep giving things away to people. The shortage of medicines, food and the dramatic rise of insecurity is what has pushed people to protest massively.
What does your family tell you about life now in Venezuela?
They talk of terror, literally. Life is dangerous. You can’t be outside after six or seven o’clock. As a matter of fact, home office is at its peak right now as it has become a liability for companies to have their workers commuting to work. There are no medicines, and technology in hospitals is obsolete. I send the medicine my mother needs from Guadalajara. I also send my family money so they can buy food in the black market where everything is unbelievably expensive.
A Constitutional Assembly has been put into power to override the parliament. Is democracy a thing of the past in Venezuela?
Absolutely. It is now official that Venezuela isn’t a democracy anymore. The government now has the power to legislate at will and the parliament is obsolete. Next year’s elections have been swept from the agenda and this “Constitutional Assembly” has been put in charge of restoring order for the next two years.
What do you think the United States should do? Should they intervene?
I am not in favor of governments intervening in other nations. Sovereignty must be respected. However, countries shouldn’t be spectators of an emerging dictatorship and the total disregard for democracy. The United States has always been a powerful country and in my opinion it is very contradictory that they still purchase oil from Venezuela. If they want to pressure the government they should stop buying oil and stop selling us gasoline.
Wouldn’t that be the final blow to Venezuela’s economy?
It would be indeed. That’s the argument against such action but the reality is that the situation is already a disaster – people are dying already. The way I look at it is like cancer. If you have an uncontrollable cancer in your leg sometimes it’s better to cut the entire leg off to get rid of it.
What do you think of Donald Trump being part of the equation now?
He just said he’d be in favor of a military intervention. I don’t think Trump is a traditional politician. He’s more of a “showman.” But it would be interesting to see if his words can actually translate into actions. He’s very good at creating this tough guy image but I still haven’t seen anything from him.
Specifically, what would you like to see translated into actions from Trump and his administration?
Although it appears improbable and borderline fictitious, I would love to see a military intervention similar to the one that took place in Panama where they now have a very steady democracy. Realistically, I think they should definitely rethink their business relationship with Venezuela. That could bring the regime to its knees. I don’t see how things can get worse for people.
In what ways does the situation need to evolve so that you would consider returning?
A change in government for starters. I believe Venezuela has a strong capacity to recover. It is still the number one in oil reserves in the world. If all those people who left could come back and participate in the country’s economy, I think the benefit would be huge because of their experience in foreign societies that work. Hypothetically, if the current government was to exit power I think recovery would be very quick.
How do you compare Mexico and Venezuela?
You could say Mexico is similar to Venezuela prior to Chavez. It’s wonderful but people don’t see it. I think it’s human nature to look for the negative aspects. I hope people can draw conclusions and see the dangers. Things can deteriorate very quickly. One person who really looks similar to Chavez before he became president is Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The rhetoric he uses and the way he tries to blame the rich for everyone’s problems is very similar to Chavez back in the day.