Several people, over the past few days, have jumped in front of Metro trains during the morning commute. At least one yesterday, at Bellas Artes station, and allegedly four the day before, one of which was in Petare.

What is interesting is that the Metro is far from a neutral, technical institution in Caracas. The French-designed system is incredibly effective and well-maintained in a city of much disorder (a train comes every 2.5 minutes!), and as a result has long enjoyed the status of the being the pride of Caracas. When people enter the station, they are immediately quieter, calmer, more respectful: this is commonly referred to as the "Metro effect."

So, what does it mean to kill oneself by way of a respected institution? Is it considered a proud way to leave the world? Or a desperate gesture toward pride? The latter seems more convincing, and I am reminded of the fact that, in the Bay Area, people often drive across the Bay Bridge in order to throw themselves off the Golden Gate…