Belarusian in Venezuela: People dashed to stores to buy out stock

What is the reaction of people in Venezuela to Chavez's death?

People seem to be shocked. This is the first thing that strikes your eye. The news [about Hugo Chavez's death] broke at 1625 local time. People began to panic and dashed to all kinds of shops: pharmacies, groceries, supermarkets, liquor stores. They are buying out everything: water, toilet paper in all possible quantities. The shopping frenzy caused all stores to close one hour later.

Streets quickly became empty. The queues for fuel at pump stations were so huge I had never seen before. Some 25-30 cars were lining up and blocking the whole street. However, the fuel station also quickly closed and everboy disappeared.

At 8 p.m. streets were peace and quiet! Nothing like had happened before.

What will be next?

It is not yet clear. We hear that everything will be quiet till Hugo's funeral which is set for Friday. Nobody knows what will be next.

How are you feeling?

A bit uneasy. I was here at the time of elections when Chavez won. There had been forecasts about riots and possibily a civil war, but everything turned out to be fine. The opposition candidate admitted his defeat. Now it is not clear what will happen. I would not say I am afraid, but I am not feeling comfortable.

We are yet to stay for another half of the contract term. But if any problems, we can probably be sent back home. I would not rule out this option. But as of today, the situation is quiet.

What's on TV? Are people crying?

They cry in smaller towns. Sitting in the capital city and watching out from the window, I don't observe anything. Perhaps closer towards the city center, people are standing in front of the palace building holding posters. They showed news on TV that people were standing by there till 7-8 p.m.

Did you hear rumors in Venezuela that Chavez had died long before?

There was total silence here. My relatives in Belarus sent me the links in the internet that Chavez died, but there was total silence here. Students were protesting in Caracas, demanding to tell them what happened to the president. But nobody said anything. The first statement was issued yesterday. Previously, they would only say that the president was getting better and that he moved from Cuba to a military hospital in Caracas.

What do your local friends say?

Everything will be quiet for the next seven days of mourning when people will be recovering from shock. The most interesting things will be next: re-election and a huge re-distribution of power. It is not clear who will come to power. Maduro? Chavez described him as successor, but as far as I remember his biography Maduro is a former metrobus driver. The opposition candidate can easily come to power. He received around 40% at the previous elections.

What was the reaction of Venezuelans to this news?

They were Chavez's supporters indeed. Not all, but many people supported him. They are truely mourning him. But I also read some comments on Twitter. Some Venezuelans write that Chavez was a bad man and that people would live better now.