In an editorial on Saturday, 7 May 2016, Diario Libre points out that the campaign motorcades known as “caravans” have prevailed in the current general election campaign. The caravans carrying political candidates and their followers, which pass through swiftly in a colorful display of party symbols and colors, have replaced the mass rallies of supporters as a show of strength, as used in previous elections, says the newspaper.
Diario Libre says the main advantage of this system is economic. It is much more expensive to move all the people needed to create the desired effect of a mass rally.
In contrast, the caravan technique makes mobilization unnecessary. Only the candidates and their inner circle of aides and activists need to move, not the people. The caravan simply has to travel through different places, usually low-income barrios where people will come out to watch anything, before moving on.
Another advantage is that the candidate does not have to speak. There is no direct contact with the people. The candidates pass through like movie stars, riding on top of a vehicle, with loud music. People catch a glimpse of them and then return to what they were doing before.
http://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/editorial/el-caravaneo-BJ3597939
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/politica/caravaneo-desplaza-al-tradicional-mitin-CY3607613
