Carlos Valverde En La Red/1 - Cainco: Fernando Hurtado, En Su Despedida.- 03 Abril 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning! It's Monday, the 3rd of April, 2023, and it's the 97th day since the governor, Luis Fernando Camacho, was kidnapped. But hey, let's pause for a moment – just give me 20 seconds, and we'll continue. 🎶

Last Friday night, I attended the change of leadership event in Caínco, and my heart swelled with pride for our people, our leadership, and their unwavering courage. However, I was perturbed when they asked me for a bodyguard. I thought, "Why would I need one when the President is coming? Keep it smooth, please!" But to my surprise, it was not the President who showed up – it was the President of the Chamber of Deputies, a nameless figure to me.

And that's where the frustration hit me. You see, they surrounded themselves with a phalanx of six bodyguards, and I wondered, "Why this elaborate security for a fellow Cruzan?" It reveals the insecurities that seem to haunt those who should be serving the people. But let's move on to the heart of the matter.

Listening to the speeches and witnessing the awards that evening was truly a pleasure. The orchestra, elegantly playing with violins and more, was the icing on the cake. I'm truly grateful for the invitation, and let me share what matters most to me.

A Call for Change

The issues that truly pique my interest are centered around our country's situation. We've become divided by ideologies, and that's not productive. Instead of finding allies after the pandemic, we're confronted with an absent and indifferent government. Their inability to adapt to the changing circumstances is frustrating, and it affects the lives of our families.

A country's economic model should be judged by its tangible results, by how it supports families and households. If people have to queue up at the crack of dawn for basic services or if schools and universities fail to provide quality education for our children, if producers and transporters have to jump through hoops due to deteriorating infrastructure – then the model isn't designed for the people. It benefits those in power who take from the hardworking families and businesses.

An economic model that hinders households and producers, penalizing those who contribute, is outdated. Our current model must be able to adapt to the changing conditions of our nation. However, we're stuck with rigid ideologies, and this denial of reality is crippling us. The Bolivia of today is vastly different from that of 2014, and we face new challenges. We need to see a government that seeks solutions, not scapegoats. We need a government that understands the reality and takes decisive measures to protect our economy from crisis.

The Subsidy Quandary

Subsidizing hydrocarbons might provide temporary relief, but it's akin to feeding someone for a day and leaving them hungry for a lifetime. It's a short-term fix for a long-term problem. It's true that the state has subsidized diesel for 12% of the agricultural sector, but the rest of the sectors remain unsupported. The inability to address the scarcity crisis of 2010 and the subsequent mismanagement of the situation has left us in a bind.

Unfortunately, the government's actions, or rather inaction, speak volumes about their priorities. Subsidies should serve all Bolivians, but it seems that businesses have capitalized on these policies and achieved great success. While the government's response was sluggish, private entrepreneurs expanded their operations extensively. They took risks, invested, and played their part in building the nation, albeit not without their fair share of corruption issues.

A Vision of Prosperity

But amid all these challenges, there is still hope. We, as a society, can create a future that's promising and full of opportunities. We dream of a future where everyone can thrive, where the narrative of rich versus poor doesn't divide us. This outdated narrative does nothing but pit us against each other.

We believe in social justice achieved through job creation, not by taking from one to give to another. Our vision revolves around the family as the cornerstone of our economy, and we will prosper in spite of a government that seems to be lost.

The key to our future is in our hands, and we are determined to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead. We are not easily deterred because we have faith in our collective ability to shape our destiny. Together, we can create a society free from political bitterness and divisive strategies. We dream of a country where everyone is a winner, and we march forward with unwavering optimism.

The Road to a Better Tomorrow

This is a time to think about what we, as individuals, can contribute to our shared future. It's a time for young and old, newcomers and lifelong residents, to come together and build a brighter tomorrow. As Peter Drucker said, "The best way to predict the future is to create it," and that's precisely what we intend to do.

We are dreamers, but more importantly, we are doers. Each of us plays a unique role, and I refuse to label anyone's place in the future because I believe that, in time, perspectives can change. So, let's embrace the challenges ahead and continue working towards a future that's truly ours.

In conclusion, we are at the helm of transformation, and we will create a world that is accessible and promising for our children. Our legacies will turn into new skills and open minds, allowing us to reinvent the values passed down by our ancestors. We are master creators, and we have the power to turn our dreams into reality.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's not be afraid. Together, with unwavering faith, we will shape a future that belongs to us. 🎶