We just got news that Tibisay Lucena, former president of Venezuela's National Electoral Council, has died. Although no news point to the exact time of her passing, Wikipedia says it was yesterday, April 11th, an important date for the country's political process. 21 years ago, there was a botched coup attempt against Hugo Chávez's government that greatly strengthened his grip on power to the dismay of everyone who opposed him. Four years later, Lucena was placed at the head of all electoral proceedings, a post that she retained until 2020 and in which she presided over the destruction of our democracy, rigging nearly every election held during that period in favor of chavistas. Needless to say, she wasn't a beloved figure for us and, although I don't exactly feel exultant about her death, I'm far from being sad. It might sound cruel, but her demise is great news for the reconstruction of this land.
It's weird how these things work. This woman probably had people who knew her personally and cared for her, who laughed with her, shared food and drink regularly at her table, enjoyed her company to whatever extent possible and are currently mourning her loss. I don't experience any connection to them nor could I imagine them being my friends if I knew them personally. I don't hate Lucena or any member of this regime, dead or alive, but I wouldn't speak in favor of most of them if I found myself in that position. Some people deal so much harm to such a large number of people for so long, that the best they could hope for is indifference. That's what I experience right now, a mixture of relief and apathy toward these news, and honestly, excitement for what's to come now, because this regime's ranks are thinning out and they must vanish in order for the New Venezuela to fully bloom.
Our bodies are mostly made up of water, the surface of our planet is likewise mostly covered with water. From a mystical perspective, that means that our lives are greatly determined by emotions and sensations. We can't avoid this fact, trying only brings distortions and misery, and yet the vast majority of people struggle with it, seeing their emotions as enemies. How could they not? Emotions make us vulnerable, prone to manipulation, manageable, especially when we're grouped together in masses. A single small group of people can hold millions hostage just by playing their emotions against them, that's what chavismo did in my country and all tyrannies do it everywhere. Certain transgressions build up such a high price that they diminish the human worth of those who commit them, and even the most compassionate, empathetic individuals would be hard pressed to show leniency toward those responsible for acts of that caliber. In fact, it would be hypocritical and vain to presume to do so.
I don't pass judgment on Lucena or any others whose dereliction of duty, corruption, criminal mindset and abusive behavior brought Venezuela to its current situation, the price for their actions and failings is imposed by a far higher authority. I actually thank them, because they were essential for releasing the country's potential and allowing me to come into my own. However, I don't weep for them either, the greatest respect that I feel I owe them as human beings is to send them off with a cold thought and a toast. May their souls find some kind of peace in coming lives.
Downpour and landslides. The solid becomes liquid, tears flow in places that have long been spared great pain. Emotional barriers fall exposing vulnerabilities, but be grateful, for a wound cannot be healed if it remains unknown. Any attempt to conceal feelings or sensitive information may backfire even if driven by compassion, especially if lies are involved; show what you need to show and say what you have to say, get to the point, be decisive and straightforward, the longer the process, the greater the anguish. Beware those who try to use intimacy as a means to dominate others, empathy is not a weapon.
