micromontenegro, Rafael -
I like them pictures! Brings back memories: I lived in Venezuela (Maracay!) as an AFS exchange student many years ago (1993-4). The New Year was spent at someone's finca, drinking too much the night before, eating fresh tamarind and panza (a soup with cow stomach) the next day to cure a hangover. It looked much like what's in your pictures: rustic, outdoors, dominoes. I only visited the Llanos (my host family's mother had a sister who lived in San Fernando de Apure). I'm still in touch with my host family and yes, the country has become very politically polarised. I find it interesting that while Venezuelans have very strong opinions on Chavez, the foreign press (at least, what I see in the UK) is more muted and unsure quite how to view him: Communist-in-waiting or benign dictator who finally stands up for the poorest of the poor. I'm not taking sides or wanting to start a huge discussion here!
But it's a great country. Beautiful, in terms of landscape, culture and people. Glorious beaches (Chuao was my favourite), great mountains, the desert, the jungle, the Orinoco, the plains... Stunning, simply stunning.
Doctor Zero