they want us dead
they want us dead is a non-fiction novel written by award-winning Spanish author Javier Moro. The work was published in 2023 by the Espasa publishing house. Long before its official launch, the book had already attracted rumors, negative comments, controversies and direct attacks from anonymous users on social networks, who began to wonder if they want us dead It was a request from the protagonist of the story.
Immediately after the first malicious statement, the writer pleaded for his novel. He declared before different media that he spent three years writing the book, and conducting interviews with more than 500 people, including the main characters. On the other hand, Moro affirms that he expected a similar reaction from detractors.
Synopsis of they want us dead
A contemporary epic novel
Since his beginnings, Javier Moro has been characterized by portraying the lives of historical figures who, in some way, left a mark on their respective countries or even on the world. In the case of his most recent novel, The author paints a quite romantic portrait of one of the most important political dissidents that Venezuela has had during the last twenty years.: Leopoldo López.
they want us dead is a epic modern about the life and work of López and some of his allies, like his wife, Lilian Tintori. Likewise, the book highlights the intense relationship that exists between marriage, leaving it as a unit, a solid front that protects its children and that, in addition, has the strong conviction of defending its country from crimes against human rights that are committed. presented thanks to the socialist government.
Origin of the 2014 protests
Leopoldo López made the late president Hugo Chávez a little nervous in 2000. Later, in 2002, the opposition sympathizer was accused of leading the protests that aimed to give a coup to the commander in progress. Later, in 2006, he led the opposition.
This context warned Chávez, who, together with his entourage, designed several strategies to prevent López from ever reaching the mayor's office of Caracas or any powerful political position.
At the end of 2012, Chávez was too ill. Knowing that he would probably die shortly, he proposed Nicolás Maduro as his successor. In 2013, after the death of the regent, the Venezuelan people were in conflict due to shortages, insecurity, inequality and other irregularities. When Maduro ascends to power, internal chaos breaks out, presided over by Leopoldo López.
What inspired Javier Moro
The plot of they want us dead focuses on the events that occurred with Leopoldo López and his family after the 2014 protests. In this period, the political leader led a series of marches aimed at showing disagreement with the Nicolás Maduro regime. As the story progresses, we see how López is accused on several occasions for alleged crimes that are never proven.
At the same time, the protagonist and his family demand that, if guilty of any charge, A trial is held under all the norms indicated in the Venezuelan Constitution.. However, this never happens. The government only directs its accusations towards López to prevent him from having any access to public office.
The exit
The exit was a strategy implemented by Leopoldo López to mobilize a large mass of Venezuelans, in order to exert pressure from the tired people against the totalitarian regime of Nicolás Maduro. Nevertheless, These mass marches had disastrous consequences, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.. Likewise, there were injured and persecuted politicians who had to escape to save their lives.
As can be seen, none of this resolved Maduro's departure from the executive branch of Venezuela. On the contrary: The more the opposition fought, the more Nicolás' status as president seemed to strengthen.. Even so, the concentrations served to warn international agents about the dictatorial condition in which the Socialist Party keeps Venezuela mired.
A complicated choice
On the other hand, foreign viewing, as well as the sanctions that the United States began to impose on the country, resulted in another battle front for López. This was accused of inciting hatred because of the demonstrations. Leopoldo had to choose between fleeing Venezuela with his family or facing 14 years in prison. The leader decided to stay, and he was detained under serious security measures.
En este sentido, they want us dead It dates back to the period in which Leopoldo López had to serve time, while Lilian Tintori and the rest of her family fought tooth and nail to obtain her release. It is also possible to see the support of the UN and other various institutions dedicated to protecting human rights, as well as the Spanish and American governments.
About the author, Javier Rafael Moro
Javier Rafael Moro Lapierre was born in 1955, in Madrid, Spain. The author traveled to many places in the world since he was very young, thanks to his father, who was an executive at TWA. This trip to other countries opened his mind to different languages, cultures and policies. The writer studied History and Anthropology at the University of Jussieu, between 1973 and 1978.
Throughout his life he has collaborated with various media outlets and writers, such as his uncle Dominique Lapierre. His first novel was Paths of freedom, for which he went for a time to the Amazon. There, he had to travel by plane, canoe, even on foot, to discover more about the history of Chico Mendes, a symbol of environmental protection.
Other books by Javier Moro
- Paths of freedom (1992);
- The foot of Jaipur (1995);
- The Buddha Mountains (1998);
- The globalization of poverty (1999);
- It was midnight in Bhopal (2001);
- Indian passion (2005);
- The red sari (2008);
- The rule is you (2011);
- To flower of skin (2015);
- My sin (2018);
- Fireproof (2020)