Yo! In case you missed it, Venezuela’s ruling party just lost…BIG time. Venezuelans cannot contain their excitement. A women-led coalition of Venezuelans wanted change and that is exactly what they got. Viva Venezuela!
For the first time in 16 years, Venezuelans finally told the United Social Party of Venezuela (PSUV) just what they thought of their leadership.
Credit: @jonngood / Instagram
For the first time since late President Hugo Chavez took office in 1999, the PSUV lost a National Assembly election…by a damn landslide. Current President Nicolas Maduro has said his party was simply after the revolution started by Chavez.
Last night, Venezuelans overwhelmingly voted to drastically change the course of their country.
Credit: @davidsmolansky / Instagram
They basically voted to get rid of the socialist regime at the helm of a historically devastating economic downturn as the price of their main export, oil, continues to fall.
Why did so many Venezuelans vote to change the ruling party? The economy.
Top issues in Venezuela are all economic; inflation, unemployment & shortages of basic goods https://t.co/O4ncLZVn7p pic.twitter.com/yEbNwB32nA
— Jacob Poushter (@japoushter) December 3, 2015
Credit: @japoushter / Twitter
According to the Wall Street Journal, three out of four Venezuelans now live in poverty. Shit is so bad there the government has stopped reporting on the economy and poverty statistics.
Basically, 76 percent of Venezuelans are living in poverty and they have had enough.
Poverty in Vnzla peaked at 55% under Chavez & fell to 21%. Now, it's 76%. @WSJ on deprivation in one town. https://t.co/oucSGf5vfr
— Juan Forero (@WSJForero) December 3, 2015
Credit: @WSJForero / Twitter
That’s the equivalent of 242.3 million Americans living in poverty. And their projected unemployment rate for next year is 18.1 percent.
READ: Venezuelan Reporter Yuvi Pallarés Gets Naked to Deliver the News, Like Totally Naked
Enter Lilian Tintori, a feisty and dedicated Venezuelan who became the face of the opposition.
Hope and democracy return to Venezuela thanks to this amazing woman, Lilian Tintori!
VIVA VENEZUELA! #6D #women pic.twitter.com/6AKJDDg55x
— Stephen (@TheAviator1992) December 7, 2015
Credit: @TheAviator1992 / Twitter
Tintori’s husband, Leopoldo Lopez, is a political prisoner in Venezuela for being a leader within the opposition party that now has control of the National Assembly.
Social media was flooded with support for the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) via purple dyed pinkies…seriously. #countrygoals
https://www.instagram.com/p/-9IlAWiVFz/
Credit: @josedanielmr / Instagram
An outstanding 74 percent of the 19 million eligible voters took to the polls and used their collective voice to demand the change they have been hoping for but not getting.
People are over the moon with the results with Venezuelans celebrating all over the country today in true Latino fashion.
Credit: @ginassalazar / Instagram
Like, seriously. Venezuela is showing NO chill about the victory.
Credit: @avilaspagym / Instagram
It’s like if fireworks erupted over Washington D.C. when the Democrats took the White House in 2008. All up in the current president’s face.
How big was the win? MUD won 99 of the 163 seats in the National Assembly. PSUV walked away with 46.
#Venezuela: At 96% of polling stations: Opposition MUD wins election, gets 99 seats in national Assembly, Chavistas PSUV gets 46 seats. #6D
— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) December 7, 2015
Credit: @YanniKouts / Twitter
Before the elections, the PSUV had 99 seats in the National Assembly. They are still recounting votes for 22 of the seats.
Venezuelans have proven to their government that they want change and they are done standing still.
Pueblo aclama "Acepten que perdieron queremos resultados" #6d #guanare #portuguesa @VoluntadPopular @victoruribeg pic.twitter.com/rJHzbBG4WE
— ARMIÑO INVENCIBLE (@eucrosa) December 7, 2015
Credit: @eucrosa / Twitter
And some are, of course, pointing out the losing party as being sore losers.
READ: Proof Venezuelan MMA Powerhouse Ronda Rousey is More than a Kick-Ass Fighter
Venezuelans all over the world are rejoicing the news.
I wasn't there, but it was like I was living this #6D in #Venezuela: I felt euphoria, tension, impatience and joy along with you 🙂
— Yoani Sanchez (@yoanifromcuba) December 7, 2015
Credit: @yoanifromcuba / Twitter
Venezuelans seeking democracy still know there is a long way to go.
Our country still has a long way to run, differently, wisely, better this time. Having said that, we'll sleep happily tonight #Venezuela #6D
— Alonso Lioneth (@AlonsoLioneth) December 7, 2015
Credit: @AlonsoLioneth / Twitter
After all, it takes time to undo 16 years of the same thing.
After 16 years of dictatorship,we've finally reached the end of the tunnel.We'll finally see freedom #Venezuela #6D
— Kendall (@MagaSilvaR) December 7, 2015
Credit: @MagaSilvaR / Twitter
Basically: Ronda Rousey = PSVU and Holly Holms = MUD.
