During 2011, after arriving from their tour in Spain, Baruck was inspired by social events in their country Venezuela and decided to write a song which they would give a message of hope, unity, peace, love, and forgiveness to the entire Venezuelan population, which was divided between two political-social groups with different interests.
This song titled “Un canto por la Unidad” (A Song for Unity) was released on May 5, 2012, through their YouTube account along with the video clip, which was broadcast through Social Networks by the Venezuelan population for its message of unity and its similarity with the message of unity of the opposition political party called “Mesa de la Unidad Democrática” or MUD, which supported Presidential Candidate Henrique Capriles Radonsky for the elections of October 7, 2012. The MUD party was constituted by diverse political parties of the opposition.
“In the search to reach the entire Venezuelan population with the song, we began our media tour and distribution of the theme through Social Networks, despite of threats, persecution and attempted kidnapping against us by supporters of Venezuelan government, which began the June 19, 2012; after a live interview in the program “En Boga” of DAT TV Channel, where at the end of this interview we were chased by a vehicle without identification for about 15 minutes“. Baruck said
However, as part of their motivation to get the song to Venezuelans, looking for a real change in the population and the union of the people; On April 7, 2013, Baruck voluntarily attended a meeting of the political organization “Simon Bolivar Command”, in San Diego’s municipality, Carabobo state.
This political organization grouped all the political parties of the opposition in a single one with the purpose to support Henrique Capriles Radonsky (like the candidate of the Venezuelan opposition) against Nicolas Maduro (favorite candidate by Hugo Chavez before its death). At that meeting, preparations were made for the closing of the political campaign of the presidential elections of April 14, 2013, convened after the alleged death of President Hugo Chavez on January 2013.
“On April 8, 2013, we were chosen as one of the main artists of this closing event with our song “Un Canto por la Unidad” and our promotional song “Hasta adentro de Tu Corazón”, which we sang on April 9th, 2013, in front of more than 20,000 people in Valencia“. Baruck said.
This closure of political campaign was organized by the mayor of the municipality San Diego, Vicencio “Enzo” Scarano Spisso, next to the command Simón Bolívar. The event was announced by all the media in Carabobo state, Venezuela.
Baruck Performing in the closing campaign.
The political crisis was sharpened when the CNE proclaimed Nicolas Maduro president elected over the next six years in an electoral scenario that was not very clear and was always suspected to be manipulated by high levels of government. There were incidents in different parts of the country with complaints of burning party headquarters and acts of violence. All hopes of a change faded and the situation gradually worsened with currency devaluation, trade Intervention, Inflation, food shortages, and insecurity.
“In view of how difficult it was becoming for us as musicians to get the message out to the people and work for that change when many Venezuelan opposition leaders and supporters were being unfairly besieged and imprisoned. We decided to leave the country in search of security and quality of life, which in Venezuela we could no longer find“, Baruck said.
On February 12, 2014, the city of Caracas joined the protests organized jointly with student movements, convened by Venezuelan opposition leaders Antonio Ledezma, María Corina Machado and Leopoldo López (mayor of the Chacao Municipality 2000-2008), leader of the opposition who after being harassed for a time, was imprisoned in February 2014 by the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The protests took place in several cities across the country, and the motivations alleged by opposition protesters include discontent with civil rights violations, chronic shortages of commodities, high levels of criminal violence and Cuba’s alleged interference in politics of Venezuela. These protests claimed the lives of many Venezuelan students.
Many political leaders to this day have been imprisoned and persecuted, artists and people from the television media has suffered kidnappings and some have died because of insecurity and persecution. The application of violence by the organs of the Venezuelan State against the civilian population constitutes a widespread application of the use of force, in violation of all international human rights norms, and even of the rules of International Humanitarian Law.
“Acts such as the widespread repression of the civilian population during peaceful demonstrations, mass arrests of students, demonstrators and bystanders in general, torture to which they have been subjected, violations of the right to a fair trial, application of prior censorship, the media and attacks on the inviolability of the home or household, made us think that it would be a great risk to return to the country that still fights for its freedom“, Baruck said.
“We have grown as musicians and as humans beings. Thanks to the experience acquired in Venezuela, right now we are being ambassadors and spokespeople for all those people who are suffering from the repression in our country and from those who live in the miserable conditions that the current system of government has given to people“, Jose said.
“We want to bring the message of love, unity, and forgiveness to all people, especially those who are in constant conflict. Being outside Venezuela that possibility is wide because you know more people and that gives us the ability to reach other territories and to tell our story. We will let the world know what is happening in our country and how we can learn from that experience to do not repeat it again in any place around the world“, Baruck said.