No expert, just a little bit crazy. It has now been twelve years writing the Devil…
The Devil's Excrement
Observations focused on the problems of an underdeveloped country, Venezuela, with some serendipity about the world (orchids, techs, science, investments, politics) at large. A famous Venezuelan, Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo, referred to oil as the devil's excrement. For countries, easy wealth appears indeed to be the sure path to failure. Venezuela might be a clear example of that.
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The Devil's Excrement 
August 6, 2014 at 10:41 pm
Happy blog anniversary. Thank you Miguel!
August 6, 2014 at 8:35 pm
I only look forward to this blog ending when a stable, democratic, functioning and freedom giving government is elected in Venezuela and I think you have said you would end it then. It would be sad to see it go, but it will be a happy day because of the reason why it will end.
August 6, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Let us pray that the next 12 years will turn out better for Venezuela than the previous 12 years. Thank you, Diablillo, for your contributions over the years.
August 6, 2014 at 7:14 am
Not crazy, but admirably commited! Thanks for your efforts.
August 6, 2014 at 4:53 am
Keep on keepin’ on, Diablo!
Thanks for the dedication!!
August 5, 2014 at 11:54 pm
Keep on walking (Blogging) Like Johnnie W.. !
August 5, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Miguel, thank you for the time and effort that you invest in this blog. It has help me better understand the crazy day-to-day of the of today’s Venezuela. And yes, you are an EXPERT!
August 5, 2014 at 6:16 pm
I don’t think we need to remind you bloggers how much some of us need to read you guys to keep us from going insane, and also to understand topics of a certain nature wich may be difficult to understand otherwise. But in case you do:
Thank you Miguel! I am still looking forward to the day when we free ourselves from the red claws of chavismo and we can finally see a different kind of posts….
I just hope we’re not stuck on the perpetual wait of the cubans.
August 5, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Congratulations Miguel. You are a role model.
August 5, 2014 at 2:02 pm
Looking forward to the day when Diablismo replaces Chabismo in Venezuela; till then, keep these informative posts coming…and thanks.
August 5, 2014 at 10:33 am
There is no other blog that I have followed over the last 7 years like the one you write. But as much as I enjoy it, I can’t see an end to the destruction of a country in such a pointless manner.
August 5, 2014 at 8:28 am
One of the many advantages for those dedicated to reading/writing on this blog:
128) Unlikely to contract ebola while typing a clever response to a given post….
Congrats!
August 5, 2014 at 8:00 am
Mas sabe el Diablo por viejo que por Diablo. Gracias por todos tus efuerzos Viejo!
August 5, 2014 at 7:24 am
Congratulations Miguel!
Elon Musk also admits to being a little crazy. You´re in good company.
August 5, 2014 at 6:40 am
I’ve enjoyed every post.
Keep up the good work Mighel.
August 5, 2014 at 6:15 am
Amazing job in so many ways…thanks
August 5, 2014 at 6:12 am
The Devil is in the details…you have done an exceptional job cataloguing and providing insight into this Robolution. I know it breaks you heart and you would rather tend to Orchids. But for those of us from far and wide that care about Venezuela, you have been an ever faithful friend. Thanks.
August 5, 2014 at 2:36 am
First, thanks for your tireless work.
Second, it’s not the blog that makes you an expert, it’s your years of wisdom, your rational mind, and proximity to the subject matter. The blog is merely the medium.
Third, as fate would have it, earlier this morning I had a couple of hours of solitude to ponder Venezuela’s future. The main thought that occured to me is that nothing is inevitable. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans in Miami thought it was inevitable that Castro would fall sooner than later – it never happened. Next, they thought that when he exited the stage, that would be Cuba’s liberation. Again, never happened. The parallels for Venezuela are ominous.
If my understanding of the laws of physics is correct, they demand that something stay as it is until something else changes it. Who or what will be that change in Venezuela?
Miguel, you’ve long stated your primary goal is to document the story, and you have far exceeded this goal. But I know that you also love your country and as with all of us, you would love to see something (anything) interact with the country in order to change it positively. However, perhaps it’s best if we follow Chavez’s example. In ’91 (or was it ’92 – God how long ago), when Chavez attempted to overthrow the government, I believe that his primary goal wasn’t to gain power (realistically, what were his chances?), but rather, to stir the pot. Likewise today, I dare say that any change in Venezuela would be a positive one, even a non-benevolent dictator. Because the status quo (Hell) can continue for multiple lifetimes, as witnessed by the Cuban diaspora.
Nothing is inevitable, including that this cancer, Chavismo, will collapse on it’s own. Venezuela isn’t rich, you’ve proven that on numerous occasions, but there is plenty of money to keep the despots in comfort (and power, via repression) for several lifetimes.
I apologize for hacking your post Well done, Miguel, very well done.
August 5, 2014 at 7:27 am
I fully agree with you.
August 5, 2014 at 8:35 am
Well said. Thanks Miguel!
August 5, 2014 at 12:50 am
Almost a teenager!!! Congrats !!!
August 4, 2014 at 11:57 pm
Long time, my devil friend. I need to congratulate you sincerely. I don’t think I’ve missed an article in the last eight years that I discovered your blog.
It is a real treasure!
August 4, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Thank you.
Shoving my pedantic side forcibly off the table,
I found your blog to be NOT about our country.
It was not about this nation. Not about the dreams.
It was all about YOU. How does a sensible person
cope and survive?
Congratulations on a job well done. xp
August 4, 2014 at 9:46 pm
It’s been a slow motion train wreck! Que tragedia!
Anyway, thanks for the input and analysis. You have made some sense of some of the most senseless policies and politics in recent global history.
Keep up the good work
August 4, 2014 at 9:22 pm
Congratulations and thanks for the great work. With mainstream news sources owned or cowed by the government, blogs like this one are more valuable than ever before.
August 4, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Look forward to the next 12 years….