The Divorce:
Santos, Maduro and 5 years of marriage
By: Maria Alejandra Prada 10B
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The relationship was destined to fail. There were no flowers, gifts, love letters or fake apologies that would have not made the Venezuelan and Colombian president decide to split up and change the romantic gestures for hate and hostile criticisms between them.
Just like every other couple, it all started with a very close friendship. Back in 2013, when Santos had just been named president of Colombia, the first thing he did was to call Maduro, and they both publicly declared their happiness and mutual agreement. Not long after, Santos began presenting Maduro as his newest BFF, (which stands for best friend forever), and the flirting comments, sweet words and encounters didn’t stop by any chance. Both Maduro and Santos saw la vie en rose. Life couldn’t get better for the lovebirds.
Sadly, there is always rain in paradise. From a time back, both mandataries have been threatening each other, and the perfect couple isn’t “goals”, as it once seemed. Semana magazine stated in an article for December 2017 that “the distance between both presidents is bigger every day; they don’t talk to each other since April”. In public declarations Santos has admitted that “Venezuela is a dictatorship and its 2017 Constituent is illegitimate”; Maduro answered: “Traitor, Trump’s vassal!” (why is he so sentimental and childish?), and even referred to his old love as “ludicrous alacrán”.
Now, the questions are: does this mean the end? Until what point can the relationship deteriorate? Between Maduro’s bipolarity and drama and Santos’ indifference and apparent infidelity with Trump, no one knows what to expect from this tragic couple.
Even though both rulers have a broken heart (or as the slang goes, they are “entusados”), Venezuela and Colombia need each other. The Venezuelan people immigrate to Colombia on a daily basis, escaping from the precarious safety and economic situation of their own country. Additionally, the exportations that Colombia makes to Venezuela cost nearly 500 million dollars, which is not insignificant for the country's economy. Also, Caracas’ government is a required supervisor of the Colombian peace negotiations with the ELN guerilla.
The best option for both gentlemen is to keep the diplomatic relationship between their countries and do what mature people do: fake well-being while eating tons of ice cream, listen to old Arjona’s songs and cry.
Happy Valentine´s Mr. President Santos and Maduro!
