"Will it get to the real needy in Venezuela?" I believe this is a question that we will all like to know the answer to. I make reference to the US$27 million in food which was provided by our business community.
This of course was a beautiful humanitarian act and I am sure that we are all grateful that we could assist in some way.
As you well know, the transaction was one whereby the Venezuela government would be in full control because the foodstuff was delivered into their hands.
I have no confidence that there will be any fair distribution of those commodities. First of all, those in power will fix themselves, family members, friends and close associates. That will be their first priority. But wait, it gets worse.
There is a huge army that must be kept happy, after all they are protecting President Maduro and his entire regime.
It would be to the president's disadvantage to have a discontented army. Now that the army is well taken care off, remember they also have family and close friends so of course they, too, must be looked after.
Now when all this is done, the remainder is now put on the market and of course if being sold, you can well imagine the price. This will definitely eliminate many.
I believe that those needy ones who first should be taken care off are the children, but there is no guarantee that this will happen. When a country goes through this type of crisis, selfishness comes into play and the children are left to fend for themselves. So while the act we did is good, many of the real needy will still be left out hungry in the cold.
Arnold Gopeesingh
San Juan