‘Arepa, the Taco Is With You’ - The Hashtag of Solidarity from Mexico to Venezuela Elizabeth Rivera - Global Voices
go to original August 7, 2017

Detail of the illustration drawn by the artist known as ‘Azúcar y Sal’ and widely shared on social media (Facebook)

Listen: More and More Talented People Are Saying ‘Farewell Venezuela, Hello Mexico’ (PRI’s The World)



After the controversial referendum of July 30, 2017, called by President Nicolás Maduro to install a constitutional assembly, and four months of continuous protests against the government for the deepening social, economic and political crisis, Venezuelans received a virtual solidarity hug from Mexico.

An anonymous group of Mexican teenagers behind the Twitter @BanderitasSquad account created the hashtag #ArepaElTacoEstaContigo (Arepa, The Taco Is With You). Channel NTN24 reported the reason behind the initiative, according to one of the hashtag's creators:

We had heard from Venezuelans that it was probably going to be their last night with Internet, so this was a way of showing our support. We sent lots of love and let them know they are not alone.

This message of encouragement brings together a popular gastronomic icon of each country: the arepa from Venezuela, and the taco from Mexico. With this ingenious turn, hundreds of people sent messages of admiration and good wishes to Venezuelans who are fighting for democracy.

We share here some of the messages of strength and respect for the Venezuelan people:

I am not sending you strength because I know you already have it, but I am sending you my respect and admiration you fighting people - Kislev (@ZAYNSH1NE)

Because not everybody stands up and fights for injustice! All my admiration to the Venezuelans - shirel (@shirrnoriega)

To the Venezuelans who put up a fight each day, they are an example that has opened my eyes, to fight for a free country - vero (@1DMYKINGS4)

There were also those who offered words of comfort:

We should bring all Venezuelans to Mexico and give them lots of tacos to help them cope with so much sadness - Aileen García (@Meowtilus)

To be honest, I feel like taking Venezuela and covering it with a love blanket and putting it in a safe place - Mary (@obtainjh)

The confirmation of friendship between the two nations was also evident:

This hashtag is pure love for Venezuelans from the unruly Mexicans - Ge. (@fucksuicideroom)

The best we can do is to send good vibes and let them know they are not alone. Keep strong Venezuela - na (@anafloresf)

In the middle of it all, there were some who complained that Mexican Twitter users were more interested in the news from Venezuela than in developments in their own country. Banderitas Squad replied:

We are not hypocrites for not talking about the problems in Mexico, we only wanted to make someone else smile - Banderitas Squad (@BanderitasSquad)

Read the rest at Global Voices | Español

Related: U.N. Human Rights Officials Accuse Venezuelan Government of Using Excessive Force Against Opposition (The Los Angeles Times)

Related: Venezuela’s Upheaval Making Waves as Far North as Mexico (World Tribune)

Related: Despite Venezuela’s Descent into Dictatorship, Most Mexicans Don’t Want Their President Getting Involved (PanAm Post)

Related: Venezuelan Asylum Seekers in Mexico Surge as Crisis Deepens (Reuters)

Related: Venezuela's Maduro in Spat with Mexico Too (Associated Press)

Related: 15 Nations Convene in Peru for Urgent Meeting on Venezuelan Crisis (PanAm Post)

Related: Venezuelan Refugee Crisis Now Spilling Into Mexico (American Thinker)

Related: Mexico Says No Evidence Venezuela's Maduro Has Mexican Bank Assets (Reuters)

Related: Some Latin American Governments Are Making the Most of Venezuela's Deepening Crisis (Business Insider)

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