Venezuela’s Top Comedian Feels the Heat

The U.S. was colonized by British settlers who came to the New World with their families, perhaps a pet or two. Meanwhile, Latin America was colonized by Spanish fortune seekers who left their wives at home, and when a guy goes on a long trip by himself … well, no good can come out of that.” Laureano Márquez, more commonly known as just Laureano, is Venezuela’s most popular stand-up comedian. A few weeks ago, I heard his act along with a crowd of Venezuelan expats in Austin, Texas. He warmed them up by riffing on Venezuelan culture. “Venezuela is the only country in the world where, if you’re stuck in traffic, a street vendor will sell you a nice cold beer … along with a copy of the Transit Law, where it clearly states that drinking while driving is illegal.” His act had just begun, and the crowd was already in stitches. More…