Yenny Morales, 33 years old, left Venezuela due to her son’s mental health issues; she couldn’t afford specialized care in a country plagued by poverty. She has been waiting in Mexico for an asylum appointment in the U.S. Amidst Venezuela’s recent presidential election where both the incumbent President Nicolás Maduro and the main opposition claimed victory, Morales worries about her family back home, calling the results fraudulent.
Living in a makeshift camp in Mexico City, Morales is among the many Venezuelan migrants concerned about their loved ones amidst the post-election turmoil in Venezuela. The election, considered peaceful, raised hopes for change after years of single-party rule.
Gerardo Uzcategui, 56, a former police officer, spent years in Colombia before heading to the U.S.; all of his family has now fled Venezuela. He shares disappointment in the election results, desiring change that now seems uncertain.
Venezuela’s economic crises have led to social unrest and mass migration, with millions leaving in search of a better life. The phone of Morales is filled with updates about her home country – from warnings for protesters to videos of unrest – including news of a friend’s death during protests.
Herberto Lugo, 48, is relieved his family in Maracaibo, Venezuela, is safe from the violent protests. However, he remains critical of Maduro’s leadership, hoping for change and supporting opposition leader Edmundo González as the rightful winner of the election.
As Venezuela faces post-election unrest, many in the diaspora hope for a shift in power that will bring stability to their homeland. Citizens abroad closely monitor the situation, anxiously awaiting potential changes that could impact their families and friends back in Venezuela.
