Panorama was the most important newspaper of Western Venezuela. The region no longer has printed press since this last edition of Panorama was published.
We made attempts in every way possible. We did everything within our reach to continue the wonderful task of reporting truthfully and purposely. Doing so responsibly and honestly.
We did the humanly impossible to extend the existence of our paper. But, despite so much effort, and with a heavy heart, we must make this the last printed edition. From now on, we will continue providing you with more of the best reporting from our digital platforms.
It is necessary to mention that prior to arriving at this point, we have fought to find funds for the needed supplies (all imported: plates, ink, and the extremely expensive paper). We have also withstood the terrible weight of the financial crisis that has plagued this country, and, according to calculations by the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the year will end with a rate of hyperinflation of 10.000.000%. With the inevitable fall of advertising revenue caused by the undeniable reality of shuttered businesses, or the lack of product they can offer (official figures from Fedecámaras (The Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce), indicate that 75% of the businesses in Venezuela already find themselves in critical condition), all of this without taking into account the constant government dictated wage increases that have served as fuel for inflation. Increases that have been decreed without any thought to the ability of private companies to confront the added expenses.
We have experienced a long and constant human talent drain that leave in search of a better life. And those who have stayed have performed miracles just to arrive to work. The lack of proper public transportation, as well as water in their homes prevents many from being able to go to work.
Once they arrive here, they must confront the arduous task of hunting stories in the grim streets of a very depressed city and they do so, with an exhausted fleet of vehicles that each day languish in never ending lines at gas stations, or waiting for replacement parts that never arrive.
We had to sacrifice many hours of closing and second editions to avoid being recurring victims to the “electric blackouts”. But these became so frequent and extended that they drastically reduced the lifespan of a purchased power generator which, according to the legal requirements, limit its use to hours of peak usage… Finally, this arsenal of problems force us to inform you that today is the last day of paper print for PANORAMA….
Dear readers and advertisers, after very careful management, having sacrificed first, editorial products, then, complete bodies and sections, further pages, and finally, print runs, our paper inventory, runs out today, and with it, our ability to continue printing history. International providers canceled lines of credit for Venezuela years ago due to the high risk of not receiving payment. Rolls of printing paper are impossible to buy under current conditions. The Editorial Complex Alfredo Maneiro (CEAM), who’s mission is to provide supplies to the media, do not have the coils that fit our rotary printing press (this information we only received several weeks ago after successive attempts that began more than 4 years ago).
In this way, information becomes another victim of the national crisis that encompasses all facets of life. An economy blown apart by an unsuspected lack of hard currency, an unmanageable political crisis, a fragmented society that flees daily into neighboring countries in an unprecedented diaspora.
A crisis, which we have so often repeated, accentuated by the absence of effective measures to correct it, and political courage and will to assume them. In a country, now trapped by international sanctions that further complicate the scene. All this reflects a lack of concern by those who should have designed solutions, for the quality of life of Venezuelans.
It is also proof of the contempt held towards the real value of communication and its role as a builder of consciousness, of historical registry and of collective memory at society’s service.
Freedom of expression is not only a rhetoric molded at convenience… it is a right that every state has the obligation to guarantee as an unavoidable standard of coexistence and progress.
This is, without a doubt, the most difficult of all news we’ve had to report. It is not easy to say goodbye to such a loyal and consequential audience. It is difficult to set aside 104 years of journalistic history and say goodbye! It is not easy to stop the presses that tirelessly printed copies filled with the “latest news”…
Almost 36 thousand editions (35.548 to be exact, printed in a span of 104 years) make up the encyclopedia of our history. In each story, each report, each headline, there was always an effort to defend the communities, unify the great Venezuelan family, propel Zulia forward, the land that gave us birth.
PANORAMA was a front row witness to the great joys of Venezuelans and particularly the Zulians. We were born with WWI and since then became your religious addiction: we were in your homes early like the dawn, and the fresh odor of ink on paper was as part of each morning as was the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the mandocas (Venezuelan Doughnuts) on our plates!
It was PANORAMA who was there to record the tragedy of the sinking of the motorboat “Ana Cecilia”, and the role of the allies during WWII. We felt as our own, the mourning of the death of the master Jesus Enrique Lossada; we bragged about the inauguration of the Rafael Urdaneta Bridge and narrated with astonishment the tragedy when the oil tanker knocked down one of its stretches.
And when man reached the moon, that July of ’69, PANORAMA did not exaggerate in praise. Nor did we hide our pain when we had to redact the tragic death of gaita musician Ricardo Aguirre González, “El Monumental”.
At the end of the century, the tragedy of Vargas filled us with pain. We shook, like everyone else, during the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York that September 11th. And there were tears in the newsroom when Felix Hernandez pitched a perfect game.
PANORAMA was always there, protesting when necessary and celebrating when it was fair and just.
Now, when the worst financial crisis in the memory of our history as a nation devours the dreams, and savings of its people, the hope of its young, the effort of whole generations and the faith of its entrepreneurs, we add to the statistic that warns of the closing of no less than 60 printed media throughout our territory.
This Publishing House delivers its last print edition with its head held high. With the satisfaction of duty fulfilled, as it has accompanied Zulia and all Venezuelans in their successes and claims, dreams and rights, goals and achievements, during the good and the bad times.
We’ve been the voice of the communities and the cultists, the famous and the anonymous, of those loved and those hated. We have been plural and constant in the practice of responsible journalism and true to the times and circumstances.
Nevertheless, we are not giving up. We will continue our labor from the digital trench, www.panorama.com.ve, our accounts on twitter(@diariopanorama), facebook (diariopanorama) and instagram (@diariopanorama), doing what we know best: informing you, because we believe in Venezuela, in its potential as a nation, in its energy as a people.
Today we say goodbye from our printed paper, confident in how, so many times, Don Esteban Pineda Belloso repeated: “This country will not be lost”. This is a wonderful nation, full of possibilities and resources, with the capacity and the people needed to surpass this moment, the most difficult of our 200 year history. All that is needed is the right amount of understanding and common sense, comprehension and acceptance of the reality for those who lead the country in an effort to provide a way out of this unextendable situation.
We discontinue our printing practice with the serenity and tranquility of knowing that everything which was within reach was done, during 104 years, to help the progress and development of our nation and of our beloved region of Zulia. This newspaper never endorsed dogmatisms, nor fanaticisms, nor discrimination as editorial policy. Never did we participate in the dangerous game of all or nothing. Everyone is needed in this country and no one can be excluded. Venezuela does not belong to some more than others. We will all be responsible for its destiny and its recovery.
The printed edition of PANORAMA says goodbye reiterating its call to a national understanding, insisting, as it did throughout its centennial life, in calling all sons of this land to work to strengthen that which unites us as a nation and ignore that which divides us. We must be as large as the history that precedes us.
We have the duty to reconstruct this nation from the cataclysm the we have brought it to with intolerance, dogmatism and abuse of power. Let civility and that pacific vocation we exhibited during each historical trial guide us to exit this quagmire and reconnect as brothers.
Without a doubt, all this happens by respecting the wishes of the majority. By reaching a national agreement to listen to the voice of Venezuelans in the voting booths so that we may all promote a climate of mutual trust to a democratic, peaceful and constitutional exit that we all aspire and have been clearly expressed in mediating initiatives such as the Contact Group, which has the blessings of the European Union, and the backing of Mexico, Uruguay, The Lima Group, China, Russia, and the US. This exit is simply the carrying out of free and credible elections. That respect the rules of the road and allow the participation of all political forces that reside in the country. Without disavowing or segregating any of them.
With a new National Electoral Authority which is clearly indispensable. With an international presence, after a readjustment of the Electoral Registry that allow those Venezuelans driven out by the crisis – and which the UN estimates to be around 4 million – may participate. Their voice, with all the hardships they face away from their homeland must be heard and validated through their votes.
All this would provide an opportunity for this exhausted country that cannot stand more disagreements and mutual hate. A nation weary of this political pandemonium that has dragged Venezuela and the Venezuelans to the brink of a civil confrontation.
There are many exclusives that were left pending. Many great headlines stolen by this crisis. Many dream editions left in the inkwell, like a last temptation for our printing press.
We will not remain in debt: from www.panorama.com.ve, @diariopanorama on twitter, diariopanorama on facebook, and @diariopanorama on instagram, where a community of users with more than five million visits daily, with the credibility and craft our experience offers, we will continue with our commitment, convinced more than ever that Venezuela will exit this tunnel to reconnect, sooner rather than later, with the destiny of prosperity and social well-being it has a right to.
Our Venezuela is a noble country, big and generous and we will once again occupy the place which we once held on our continent: having the most prosperous economy of Latin America, with the highest GDP per capita. A must visit destination for the world and of investors that have a great social sense.
Like the Phoenix, PANORAMA will return to the printing press, the same as Venezuela who will be reborn form its ashes to once again be the happy home of its people, the generous host of its neighbors, the grateful land full of enough resources to succeed. The is of course, with the lesson learned: nothing is easy, nor free. No one, except ourselves, can resolve our difficulties and differences regardless of how big or deep they may be…
Farewell Maracaibo of our restless dreams. We will meet again Zulia of our pride. You may always count on us Venezuela of ours!
