A Populist’s Realization Journey.

-We should be embarrassed. We had endless possibilities to ensure our future and we wasted them along the way. I am no longer a man who will blame others for my own failures. First, I had a vision to help my people. Then, fear, greed and thirst of power blinded my judgment. Now, I see my family, friends, those who voted for me and those who did not, in starvation. I know some of you still want to put up a fight and won’t accept what I am about to say, for we have all this empty power over everything that is upon our sight; a view of crumbles and divided hearts. Today, comrades, I am resigning. And so should all of you. I am afraid our damage is huge, but there is still hope for them, whom we should have protected and guided, to stand on their feet, while we drown in mud. And we will. I’ll make sure justice gets to us. Even if it means death. ¡Viva la Patria!-

In a different context, the astonished crowd would have joined in cheers and clapping, although that was not the case. They stared at their leader jaw-dropped. The three hundred or so attendees were so confused that they started asking all the party men next to them what he had said. Some exclaimed that it was nothing more than just another joke of his, as he is accustomed to, so a couple of laughs could be heard. However, it didn’t last long. The emotion their commander in chief used in that speech was way too convincing. There was a feeling of uncertainty and a very awkward silence. No one dared say a word.

At home, TV viewers were even more dazzled. They thought – Could this be the end to our suffering? It wasn’t long after the people from the Tovarian Republic of Canaima flooded the streets in elation. They knew that after 35 years, the dictatorship would finally be over. National Guards did not know what to do either. Usually, under these circumstances, they would throw tear gas at the crowds to avoid rioting. But their leader was gone, and deep inside, they wanted to join them in celebration.

In the middle of that, Leo Rodríguez decided he had nothing more to add to his speech, so he headed to the exit door and subsequently, home, without any other member of the party being able to stop him.

An outsider would have thought the following morning news were going to be loaded by such a huge event. The resignation of the so-called President of the nation. But that’s not something you could expect in Canaima. People had to rely on internet to read the news, which were hard to tell whether they were real or just speculation.

A sense of turmoil spread across the nation, for they knew something was wrong.

His government was one that could adopt extremist actions when needed.

Leo was born a poor man. His eloquence and ideology conquered a lot of people’s hearts. He talked about helping the poor and a fight against social classes. Canaimans felt so identified to his beliefs that it wasn’t long after he became their president.

Ideas based on foundations such as helping those who need it the most, seemed to be just right. But when you are inspired by hatred towards anyone who would propose different paths, nothing can turn out fine.

Leo preferred having loyal ministries than competent ones. He could not stand working with anyone with different thoughts in their minds. But that was an attempt against autonomy of power, so the people didn’t like it.

Government officials did everything that was in their hands to stop people from thinking contrarily to the party. They bought most of private companies, set a fixed price on supplies and foreign currency, gave more things for free, and that was all possible thanks to their almost infinite oil reserves and by the fact that they could print as much money as they wished.

Leo saw how his inner circle started to grow richer, along side with him. And they did not want to let any of that go away. So much power cannot be wasted just like that. When you know what it is like to be in misery, you will do anything not to get back there. And human souls can be corrupted very easily when the opportunity arrives.

The people would get angry at these actions, and small riots srpouted in different regions of the country. Although it is almost impossible to fight guns using stones.

Nevertheless, It all seemed just fine for the government, as oil could pay for everything and more, that including their consciousness. You can give them houses, cars, food, all they need. Canaimans became so dependent of the government, that they stopped doing other things. But when you depend on just one good, instability will always be a consequence.

A substitute to gasoline was industrialized global wise, and there was no one in Canaima who knew how to take advantage of it, as most of smart people had left the place. Other economic sectors had also plummeted years ago. A crisis rose, and people had barely any food and money now.

He had damaged a country with his own hands, and noticed how the tables had turned. He has become the pigs he hated so much. Greed took him to where he was. In the end, he realized he didn’t need that much power to help others. All he truly wanted was power. And he got it. Power over an empty shell of what was once a beautiful country.

Back to his resignation, there were no news of his whereabouts until five days after his announcement. He stood up in front of a crowd and denied ever saying such a thing. It was a campaign against him – he said. The crowd cheered and clapped, while people at home cried in sorrow. Nothing had changed in their lives and apparently nothing will. Hope is lost.

Later that night, the party men gathered, drank and celebrated. Leo said a few words. Bellow him, lay a coffin reading: