The Generation Gap

On February 2014, large protests were organized across the major cities in Venezuela. These protests were led by Leopoldo Lopez, a Harvard educated political leader who has since been incarcerated for his role in the protests. Hundred of people were injured and dozens were killed.

February 2014 protests in Caracas, Venezuela

Most of the protesters consisted of college students and leaders of the Table for Democratic Unity. Many of them are law students and future engineers that have been consumed with a sense of frustration due to the grim economic panorama. Being born in the early 90s, the only thing these young people have known is the Venezuela of Hugo Chavez and his socialist ideals.

On the other hand, many of the older folks grew up knowing the Venezuela of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The February that is still present in their minds is that of 1989. This marked the time of Caracazo where the working people of Venezuela (young and old) spilled out to the streets to denounced the democratic government led by president Carlos Andres Perez. Thousands of protesters were killed. 

February 1989 protests in Caracas, Venezuela

Don't get me wrong—the older generation of Venezuelans are just as unhappy with the current economic state of the country as the young people, but they are also reluctant to elect a democratic leader that may bring back some of the grievances of the late 80s. They do not want to elect a leader that is once again going to set forth measures to undermine the working class. In essence, they are going to vote for the leader, who in their mind, represents the lesser evil.