“Barrios” in Caracas, Venezuela

The city of Caracas has grown enormously in the last forty years, attracting people from all over South America, filling its narrow valley and climbing up the steep sides of the surrounding hills.  The influx of people has created new districts known as “barrios” or “ranchos,” which are the equivalent of “slums” or “ghettos” in the United States.  These areas are home to more than fifty percent of the 3.8 million inhabitants of Caracas. As in São Paulo, Brazil or Bogota, Colombia; private militias that have created war zones control entire streets.

Everyday hundreds of people are killed from gunshots between gangs as well as stray bullets because of irresponsible individuals seeking the thrill of the thunderous sound of bullets fired in the air.  Fighting between gangs occurs at any time, day or night. The gangs have no regard for children or innocent bystanders. The neighborhood thugs typically shoot bullets into the air without regard for other people, causing danger without limits. During festivities stray bullets increase because of increased consumption of alcohol and drugs. Many gang members are consumed by hedonistic pursuits.  This results in shooting gungs for entertainment.

This is the story of a celebration of New Year’s Eve in a “Barrio” of Caracas, five minutes past twelve, midnight.  Stray bullets were everywhere and my cousin ran to her house. She just wanted to see her mother, hug her and says “Happy New Year.” When she finally made ​​it to the street where she hoped to find her house, she saw on the ground a body already lifeless. It was the woman who bore her and raised her and whom she loved dearly.  She died because a stray bullet entered her chest and exited through her back.  A single shot killed two lives: the mother, whose physical existence has disappeared from the face of the earth, and my cousin whose soul has been forever scarred by the tragic event.  This is how I lost my favorite aunt just five months ago. A stray bullet that came from a gun of her drunken neighbor, still unpunished, killed her. The event devastated our hearts and caused so much pain to all of her family members and friends who loved her dearly. Regardless of the loop or the relationship itself, the death of any loved one is a tragedy difficult to bear.

A single shot killed two lives:
the mother, whose physical existence has disappeared from the face of the earth,
and my cousin whose soul has been forever scarred by the tragic event

Because my aunt used to work at the local hospital in the heart of on the most dangerous “Barrio” in Caracas as a nurse, she lived in the same area. Despite her parents advice to move to a safer area, she always refused because she was involved in several programs to serve her community. She always was willing to help people in this poor area and ironically she was killed by a member of that community. My aunt left two children, Aurelys and David, twenty-nine and eighteen years old, respectively, who are devastated and inconsolable by the tragedy.

These “barrios” are the most negative places imaginable. There are criminals always waiting for any opportunity to rob or kill without any regret.  Criminals are everywhere. Poverty is evidently at every corner along with alcohol and drugs. Children and teenagers are forced to act like adults to survive.  They use profane language, smoke cigarettes and carry guns.   There is nothing more similar to hell as a “barrio” in Caracas.