She was opposed by lawyer Paulo Carrillo who in his downtown Caracas office scoffs and dismisses his opponent with:' She's a plastic doll.' Which she is: a $25 dollar Barbie-style ‘Irene' doll with smouldering brown eyes and wearing a pink gown. Created to her likeness by toy company Rotoplast (with all profits going to charity) more than 20,000 were sold in the first days of manufacture. Demand is so great Rotoplast's work force has multiplied from 40 to 400. Saez, much to Mr Carrillo's discomfort, is also a proven politician with a mass following. She is the most popular public figure in Venezuela and a favourite contender for the Presidency in two years. She maintains a ‘I-live-for-today' stance on her political ambitions but wily former President Luis Herrera Campins, a quiet analyst of Venezuela 's roustabout politics, endorsed:' She's capable of running the country. She's popular. She's intelligent. She's a good ambassador. And, as far as we know, she's honest.' When quizzed about moving into the Palacio de Miraflores (Presidential Palace) she repeats:' I live in the present.' However, in an Evita-type sound bite, she brushed back her platinum blonde tinted cascade of impossible curls and offered: ‘ I will do what is best for all my people.' More telling is her political groundwork;elected on an independent ticket, she has just formed her own political group, ‘Integration, Renovation and New Hope .' The Spanish acronym is IRENE. ‘She's smart but not everyone is convinced, ‘ said David Tatazopoulus adding: ‘What's she's done is surround herself with bright, really bright people. She's got sharp businessmen around her as well. And she listens to them. She is persuasive. Her immediate circle, like her followers, are incredibly loyal.' What is seen as another, longer-view political move was announced last month (FEBRUARY) -- her engagement to Enrique Mendoza,41, the dashing Governor of Miranda State.He is one of the country's 22 governors and arguably the most influential. Historian Guillermo Moron was wary of her chances of success for the top job as a single woman but now says:' With Mendoza at her side her stature will be much increased. Remember, this is Latin America .' Which is why Irene Saez's success is even more astonishing. Despite being the most Yankeefied of all South American countries -- oil brought the Americans and paid for some spectacular architecture and an impressive freeway system -- this remains macho territory. Men are men and women are to be appreciated for their beauty rather than revered for the political or business savvy. Women are renowned for their candela -- their fire -- and the majority enjoy the attention it brings. The supply of utilities may be haphazard, the electrical wiring hanging loose even in new buildings, the running of day-to-day life disorganised but what does work in Venezuela is the genetics. The female population is stunning. When they cross the street or wander into shops men don't just stare they shout. And scream their appreciation. And whistle. There is nothing politically correct in their enthusiasm. They point and gesture wildly to each other as yet another beauty glides by. And, mostly, the women will swing their hips even more. With an average tropical temperature of 82-degrees F. they can dress scantily to display their gender even more. If they are lacking in allure they will do something about it. They are the world's highest per capita consumers of cosmetics. |
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