Opinion
Any and all of the opposition inquisitors, most bona fide, have their own list of presumed collaborators with the government. It is not news. In the recent world history there have been several, sadly renowned collaborationists. One of them was Marshal Petain; Quisling was another. The French had not initially a pro-Nazi trend, but he did like some of its practices, such as chasing of Jews. Little by little, he abode by almost all the German requirements. As for the Norwegian, he was indeed a militant of Nazism from the very beginning.

Unlike the above-mentioned traitors, Venezuelan collaborationists do not like those in office. Their alleged complicity is for other reasons. While some of them are accused of receiving money, they seemingly favor the government strategies to be able to take some public offices or wait for running for president; a few of them will cooperate just because they miss their leftist origins. Some writers file charges, but none of them dares to list names. However, the information leaks thanks to those who hide behind pseudonyms. Thus, we know that some Terrobo is the main traitor, deserving a firing squad, like Quisling, or life imprisonment, like Petain.

The compulsory passerby "from the bridge to the three-lined avenue" in Lima, was termed a collaborationist for having promptly acknowledged adverse election results. He certainly erred, but it should be noted that he was in possession of convincing results from the so-called fast count. The avenger has made several mistakes. The first one was to vote even when his party and the rest of the opposition had resolved not to do it. Due to his stubbornness, the opposition lost a state government. His assumption of "there is need to create a new majority" is not taken into account. He is regarded as collaborationist for betting on long term. In the meantime, others consider, as Keynes said, that "in the long term, all of us will be dead." There is a third notorious collaborationist, indicted for saying that the Lieutenant Colonel has the people's support; that it is not the right timing for him to step down, and that elections are the suitable way to take. No matter that he fought the Soviet empire he will be always viewed by our censors as red-very red. Never mind either that his editorials report on the government outrage and mistakes. Up to the end of his days, he will be a suspect. Something similar happens to Santos Yorme, regarded as a traitor for saying that the street demonstrations in 2004 were not going anywhere. Astoundingly, a fighter like Pompeyo, who always bet on unity, is labeled a collaborationist.

Under dictatorships, many fellow citizens have been unfairly accused of spying by the dictator on duty. We know of innumerable cases of honorable fellow citizens who, even behind bars or in exile, were termed spies or collaborationists. Sometimes is because of sheer envy or for not sharing their ideas; others because of our distrustfulness, and quite a few times due to mischievous information from the very government to discredit its political foes. Let us remember that Nazis spread the rumor that Jean Moulin, the great hero of the French resistance, was a collaborator. What is said by some it is not as serious as the fact that many could eventually believe it. Therefore, let us be more cautious and do not repeat unfounded information which benefits only the Lieutenant Colonel. Let us make decent criticism and not fabricate charges. Let us not replicate Attorney Torquemada. NO MORE POLITICAL PRISONERS OR PEOPLE LIVING IN EXILE!
eddiearamirez@hotmail.com

Translated by Conchita Delgado