Greek decries situation in Venezuela

He stressed the delays observed in the everyday lives of citizens, as well as the 13 persons killed over the last two weeks in political violence, as well as scores of missing persons.

It must noted that as far as strength among the public is concerned the governing party, a legacy from Chavez passed on to Maduro, is almost equally balanced with the opposition if one considers national election results as a valid indicator. However, when asked, who would actually have the upper hand if it came to a clash on the streets, Mr Ballas non-hesitantly answers Maduro's camp, “They have all the weapons, he has many armed groups” he adds.

Mr Ballas admits that the government pegging foreign currency at an official rate has dried up foreign currency available to businesses to import raw materials, spare parts, or machinery. But now things are even worse, as he admits, “we have to start working later and have to let workers go home earlier, often by hours, for safety reasons.”

“The situation is uncontrollable. Things are not as mild as portrayed abroad. Here we don't get any news. One radio that tried to report on what's going on was shut down. Sometimes we get the news from friends in Greece,” he says.

When it was pointed out that the crisis in the Ukraine is taking the spotlight off of Venezuela, he says, “let's hope we don't become like the Ukraine, here.” However, he agrees that in Venezuela the rift between the two sides is purely political. “There is great hatred between the two sides.”

“There is a great scarcity in basic foodstuffs. People queue up for toilet paper,” notes Georgios Ballas and highlights government ineptitude and red tape giving the example that five thousand containers of food were kept in customs until they rotted, while the people face empty shop shelves.

Is there any hint at election, we asked Mr Ballas. “No, no way, there is a lack of democratic sensitivity. Democracy is just in words, not in actions,” he answered.

“The only thing Maduro says is wait for two years, when according to the constitution the opposition may ask for a referendum if they get the requisite votes,”Mr Ballas notes adding, “I don't believe it can go on like this, the situation is problematic. Nothing is moving. Cars are rarely seen on highways. Factories are not working. Commerce is at a standstill. Shops on main streets don't open.”

“How long can this go on,” he wonders