“They use us,” says Adelys Ferro, who leads an NGO for Venezuelan immigrants. This reflects the feelings of many Venezuelans abroad as tensions rise between Venezuela and the U.S. Amid threats from U.S. President Donald Trump and calls from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for defense, Venezuelans are anxious about their homeland.
This sentiment connects all who spoke to CNN in places like Buenos Aires and Madrid. Distance doesn’t erase their fears for their families back home. While they hope for Venezuela’s future, skepticism lingers. Perla, working in a Buenos Aires restaurant, expresses doubt about change as long as the military backs Maduro.
These tensions aren’t new. They escalated on August 7 when U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi doubled the reward for information on Maduro to $50 million. Trump has labeled Maduro as one of the world’s largest drug traffickers, claims that the Venezuelan government disputes.
Since then, U.S. warships have moved closer to Venezuela’s shores. In response, Maduro deployed troops and urged citizens to join the Bolivarian Militia. The situation intensified when the U.S. recently took military action against a vessel linked to drug trafficking, resulting in eleven deaths. Many Venezuelans fear they might pay the price for U.S.-Venezuelan disputes.
Young Venezuelans, like one student in Buenos Aires, feel the weight of the crisis impacting their families in Venezuela, wishing for liberation after years of struggle. Ferro mentions “contradictory messages” from the U.S. government, especially after a recent prisoner exchange and resumed oil exports with Chevron.
Contrasting opinions emerge among Venezuelans abroad. Yahaira Treviño in Madrid distrusts U.S. motivations, suspecting they want Venezuela’s resources. Others, like Andrés Roa, believe U.S. actions against drug trafficking could be beneficial, downplaying worries of invasion.
Yet, the general mood remains one of fear and uncertainty. Even amid their struggles, many don’t lose hope for change. María Zurbarán in Madrid dreams of a free Venezuela. Yet, Ferro sarcastically calls the government’s militia regrowth just another publicity stunt, lamenting the pain and desperation exploited by the U.S. government.
The feelings of these Venezuelans highlight a complex web of emotions. They’re caught between hope and despair, watching as their homeland remains a chess piece in a larger political game. The situation reveals deep connections. As they cling to their dreams for Venezuela, they remain wary of the unfolding drama.
