CARACAS - A woman who bashed President Nicolas Maduro on
the head with a mango has been promised a new house for her
troubles in a surreal tropical tale that has gone viral in
Venezuela.
The 52-year-old president was driving a bus through a crowd last
weekend in the central state of Aragua when someone in the crowd
tossed the fruit at him.
"It says: 'If you can, call me'," the former bus driver said
later during the week, as he displayed the fruit with a name and
phone number scrawled on it on television.
"Marleny Olivo had a problem with her house. (Officials) called
her. She was scared. She couldn't believe it was true. ... I've
approved an apartment for you, Marleny, as part of the 'Grand
Venezuelan Housing Mission'," he added, vowing to eat the
mango.
Venezuela's ever ebullient cybersphere did not miss a beat, with
the president's populist gesture drawing admiration and derision,
plus plenty of jokes.
"If for a mango they give you apartments, then you know what to
do: throw him a pineapple!" quipped Dolar Today, a website that
quotes the black market for dollars and is hated by Maduro.
Like his predecessor Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013, Maduro
collects heaps of petitions during trips, although most are
scribbled on paper rather than hurled at him on fruit.
In a habit that delights many poor supporters but irritates
critics, Maduro - like Chavez - often personally gives away homes,
appliances or pensions to low-income Venezuelans.
However, lacking Chavez's charm and good fortune with high oil
prices, Maduro's popularity has plummeted since he took office.
Roughly 28.2 percent of Venezuelans approved of his management
of the country in April, according to pollster Datanalisis. That
was up from March's 24.7 percent, likely due to his campaign
against U.S. sanctions on seven government officials, but still
nearly half the level when he became president.
The survey also said 45.8 percent plan to vote for opposition
candidates in this year's parliamentary election, while only 25
percent support the ruling Socialists.
Shortages of food and medicine caused by strict currency
controls have taken a heavy toll, particularly the poor, who
traditionally have supported "Chavismo."
"A mango shortage is coming, let's line up to throw them at
Maduro and get a new house!" one Twitter user joked.
