Two presidents, two parliaments - and each side gives legitimacy to the other. 20 years and two days, the "Bolivarian Revolution" in Venezuela is now old. And never since the coup in 2002 did she stand so close to its end as now. The opposition has a fresh new face with Juan Guaidó, the fractious parties flock behind the young MP of the party "Voluntad Popular".
And the population awakes from their apathy and protests again in the street. Led by the United States, a broad coalition has formed abroad that is determined to recognize Guaidó.
But head of state Nicolás Maduro proved on the weekend that he can still mobilize his followers. A solution seems difficult, especially since the opposition to the self-proclaimed leader Guaidó has now adjusted to confrontation rather than compromise. And the hardliners on both sides are getting louder. Maduro warns of a civil war, the US does not want to exclude a military option.
How do people feel about the situation in their country? SPIEGEL has talked to some of them on the streets of Caracas.
Carmen Escalona, 42, cleaning power
MIRROR ONLINE
"I went to the rally for Maduro with my whole family on Saturday, we have to defend the revolution, it has given us everything, the revolution gives us food, but also dignity, I am a cleaner in a school, and now they are treating me It was not like that in the old days Before the revolution, the rest of us looked down on us, and we are going through the most critical situation since Commander Chávez won the election, defending the revolution and its achievements, but always peacefully and always The constitution in our hands, Guaidó, the US has used it, we will never recognize it, but it is important that everything stays peaceful. "
Andrés Azola, 56, works for a Chavian "municipal council"
MIRROR ONLINE
"I left early on Saturday for the 20th anniversary rally, coming from the district of Catia here in Caracas, one of the largest in the city, nobody forced me to come in. I'm here because I defend our revolution I voted for Hugo Chávez 20 years ago, and I still think we need to defend his revolution, and today more than ever, it is threatened from the outside, by countries that want our fortunes, the US and other states They are hot on our oil and our gold, and they are boycotting us to get Nicolás Maduro away, but we are in a bad economic situation, but that is because we are being imposed sanctions on the outside, standing firm behind our president and defending him . "
Luisana Santamaría, 35, graphic designer
MIRROR ONLINE
"We need all the help to get rid of this dictator, the whole world has to help us, including the US, to make sure that we get rid of Maduro, and then we Venezuelans afterwards make sure we get rid of the gringos Over the years, country has slowly but surely turned into a dictatorship - we are complicit as Venezuelans because we allowed it, but now we need all the strength - you can not get rid of a dictatorship overnight, that's a long way off Work, because this is about more, here are the interests of drug trafficking and other illegal business involved in. These guys will not let go of power so easily. "
Rosanna Caziello, 50, activist on "Caracas Ciudad Plural"
MIRROR ONLINE
"In our country, the values have been lost, democracy is over, respect for the other, all social cohesion is destroyed." Our organization "Caracas Ciudad Plural" is organized by civil society organizations, such as neighborhood organizations Unfortunately, teaching in workshops such as understanding and listening also has to satisfy basic needs in poor neighborhoods because of the lack of food and medicines, and we stand up for Guaidó to be recognized as president because he knows the constitution behind him As the President of the National Assembly, the rightful head of state can only resolve the crisis: Maduro must resign, Guaidó becomes interim president, and then there are new elections. "
Otoniel Sánchez (name changed), 48, an employee in a supermarket
"You have to solve this problem with lead, you can not help it, you will not get rid of the guy, the situation in our country has become intolerable, children are dying of hunger, my mother and my grandchildren are abroad and if they have something I can not even visit them, I earn a bit more than the minimum wage of 18,000 bolívares, and if a small pastry or café costs 2500, you know that the money in the front and back is not enough, here in Venezuela you have to think Whether you're buying clothes or foodstuffs, I used to be able to get something out of my earnings, save on something, but today, inflation is eating away, and when you see the big cars of the government and those in there are fat and fat satisfied, then you just get angry. "
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Venezuela: anger on the streets of CaracasMaría Álvarez, 42, doctor
"I am a doctor and I see people die every day who do not have to die because there are no medicines or spare parts for vital equipment - these are crimes against the humanity that is doing this government For at least 15 years, democratic space has become smaller and smaller, it has been a slow process, and now it is about much more than just getting rid of this ruler, now we have to see that we are regaining democracy and freedom to build a new Venezuela, to design a project in which opposition and also the Chavists have their place, because after all, they are Venezuelans, just like us. "
Daniel Moreno, 19, Caracas
"I was born a year after Hugo Chávez took office, and I know no government other than the one that is now in power, first Chávez and now Maduro, a change would be good for the country, it is really hard old people and the sick, my parents are native Colombians, part of my family lives abroad, and I've thought about leaving, like so many of my friends, but to be honest I have a lot here that I would not have in Bogotá For example, universities cost only a fraction of what they cost in Colombia, one problem is nightlife, unlike other countries, money is scarce and it is too dangerous here in Caracas, to be outside at night. "