It may sound like a Monty Python comedy sketch, but the Venezuelan government is quite serious. In creating a “Deputy Ministry of Supreme Social Happiness,” it aims to boost programs for alleviating poverty, disability and social inequality.
The new mission was devised “with the purpose of ensuring
supreme social happiness,” Venezuelan President Nicolás
Maduro said in a national address from the Miraflores Palace on
Friday as he announced the ministry’s creation and the
appointment of the minister to lead it.
“The supreme happiness office will look after our disabled
brothers and sisters, those who are homeless, our old folks, our
children, addressing the most sublime, the most sensitive, the
most loved for all those who consider themselves Bolivarian
revolutionaries,” he said.
Almost exactly a year ago, funds were allocated for the happiness
ministry; some 38 percent of the budget was put aside for the
purpose by the late president, Hugo Chavez, to develop
“supreme happiness” programs.
Maduro stated Thursday that under the auspices of the new
ministry, 33 social programs devised under Chavez would be
coordinated.
The first Deputy Minister for the Social Happiness of the Supreme
People’s Happiness is Rafael Rios, a former lawmaker and doctor.
“Comrade Rafael Rios will be responsible for implementing and
coordinating the famous missions created by our Perpetual
Commandant,” Maduro said in his announcement Thursday,
referring to Chavez in a North Korean-style life-after-death
title.
In the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s World
Happiness Report for 2013, Venezuela was ranked the happiest
country in Latin America, and 20th happiest in the world, placing
ahead of the UK, France and Germany.
However, the country also has inflation approaching 50 percent,
and experiences shortages of a variety of basic household goods.
Maduro has blamed speculation and hoarding for the country’s
economic problems.
The creation of the ministry prompted a wealth of amused and
slightly disbelieving reactions.
“It's been 24 hours since the creation of the ‘Deputy Ministry
of Supreme Happiness’ and I'm already happy :)” Venezuelan
radio host, Luis Chataing, declared on Twitter.
Victor King, a banana seller in downtown Caracas, said that he
would welcome the day that Maduro creates the currently-fictional
Deputy Ministry of Beer “so he can make me and all drunks
happy,” the AP reported.