Being tucked away in the bottom right-hand corner of maps (that is if we even get put on them), we often forget about how much stuff is actually going on beyond our shores. See, when I talk internationally, I mean the whole globe. Not just those countries that pop singers visit on their ‘world’ tours. Today, let’s go past the never-ending discussion of gun control in the USA, the UK’s persistent economic troubles, and trans-Tasman relations with Australia. Let’s go further, to what our domestic media seldom covers and look at nations that are in the depths of poverty, disease, and civil war. Let’s forget about which Chris we’re going to elect to run Aotearoa and turn our faces to those that might not even get a say in who leads them.
Venezuela.
It doesn’t really seem right to begin a discussion of this topic without talking about the political mess over there right now. Since 1999 the same party has been in control. This has led this party, PSUV, to gain control of pretty much everything political, at least a little. From the courts to the electoral council, you name it. With this, the checks on the government and the control of their power have become close to non-existent. So, what does this mean? Well, for one it means their head of state, whom they give the label president, appears to play the role of more a dictator than anything else. This means he’s a very powerful man. Not good for voters.
But first, who is this President? For quite some time it was Hugo Chávez, a name you might be familiar with. Venezuela, which was once one of the richest countries in South America just a decade prior to Chávez taking office, became the centre of economic turmoil after his mindless financial and other political policies set this country up for his present day failure. Venezuela sits on literal loads of petroleum yet is now one of the poorest countries within its continental borders. After dirty and borderline illegal (it only wasn’t because he said so) tactics to win countless elections, the former Venezuelan President passed in office after 14 years in 2013. Everyone breathed an oblivious sigh of relief. Enter Nicolás Maduro, former bus driver (I’m being serious) and current President.
Internal protests that occurred over the next three years, about an ever increasing humanitarian crises, were repeatedly and harshly crushed. After this display of the political chokehold he has, he rigged the 2018 election and with the support of the military, the results stood. Now, the Venezuelan national currency, the Bolívar, is not even worth the paper it’s printed on, many are in extreme poverty, and crime is rampant. Internationally, they are notably working strategically with Russia to support their illegal invasion of Ukraine. But, despite all this, people are too scared to speak out. Who can blame them?
Afghanistan.
In 2021, the Taliban regained control the moment international forces fled from their land. I’m sure you remember the videos of Afghans, terrified of the regime that was to return, clinging to departing aeroplanes which they soon inevitably fall from to their death. The slogan “doomed if we stay, doomed if we leave” really seems fitting when reflecting on this situation two years later.
It does seem that once the media’s eyes turned away from Afghanistan, so did everyone else’s. So what is actually going on? Did the Taliban defy all odds and set up a new utopia? No. Not even close. Things actually went almost exactly as predicted based on the last time the Taliban had control of Kabul. Women are demoted in societal ranks with strict dress codes, rules on travel, ban on education past the age of 12, and restricted from any political engagement. On top of all this, the country sees almost all of its population (that is, except those involved with the Taliban) in poverty. The country was lucky to avoid famine last year but it’s predicted it won’t be so lucky this year. The political miracle they need isn’t coming any time soon.
Haiti.
Jovenel Moïse, former Haitian President, was a touchy subject in the country. He was loved by some, hated by others. Unfortunately, a lot of those who hated him were more powerful than thim. This guy stated he genuinely cared about his country, which was spiralling into greater turmoil after it’s earthquake in 2010. He’s most notably known for advancing their production of electricity and fighting against drug trafficking gangs in Haiti. It’s rumoured the latter lead to his untimely death. By the end of his life, he was being demanded to step down as he desperately, and excessively, held firm to his power. It was no use, his residence was raided and he was assassinated in 2021.
Now, these gangs whose fingers were being pried off the control of the nation, claimed a firmer grip. Today in 2023, they are hijacking the distribution of crucial items – food, water, and gas. Those that are impoverished are left with nothing as increased prices of basic goods are at an all time high. What’s made this whole situation even worse is a recent Cholera outbreak that has spread throughout the nation combined with the ever-noticable effects of climate change right on their doorstep. It really couldn’t get any worse.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
For a country so rich in culture, you would think the injustices happening in this country would be seen as an important issue to document. Apparently not. Much like East Africa, the Eastern side of the DRC is in increased trouble. For over a decade, roughly 100 groups have been fighting for control of this land. One group, the M23, made a revoltingly violent bid for control last year. Thousands were displaced from their homes and key third-party support to those already affected by violence in the country was disrupted. Now, as each day progresses M23 gains greater control over another portion of the nation. In what is a paradox of their time, no one seems to have any power despite the many groups with areas of control.
Additionally to all this bloodshed, outbreak of deadly diseases such as Malaria and Ebola are struggling to be contained. Their diminished health care system cannot gain anymore support due to the unrest within the country. Now, as election time rolls around, political turmoil is rising to even further heights as figures make bids for power. Some are turning to violence to aid their campaigns hoping they can finally be the one to assert their authority over the entire country.
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Unfortunately, despite the intense nature of these real life situations, I am barely scratching the surface. There are many others that I was not able to even touch on. These events often go past our news feeds keeping us oblivious to what others are coping with. While we battle over who will take control of our country this year, and swear that those we vote against will lead our country into disrepair, I hope these stories provide a sobering reality of how great our political situation is here. Our lives, here in New Zealand, really are uncommon.
