Venezuela’s exiled opposition figures and citizens in Spain have long awaited the day when Nicolás Maduro would no longer be in power. Xiomara Sierra, a vocal critic who fled Venezuela in 2024 after facing threats, expressed concerns about the interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, labeling her as a tool of repression for the Venezuelan state.
Amid the Maduro regime’s crackdown, many Venezuelans have sought refuge in Spain, with around 400,000 Venezuelans currently residing in the country. The community in Spain, like Sarahy Chirinos, who runs a Venezuelan bakery in Madrid, had hoped for a different outcome following recent political events in Venezuela.
Sierra, now a spokesperson for opposition leader María Corina Machado, highlighted the release of some political prisoners in Venezuela but stressed that more action is needed for substantial change. The calls for democratic reconstruction in Venezuela are echoed by figures like Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and Antonio Ledezma, who are exiled in Spain.
The uncertainty looms for Venezuelan asylum seekers in Spain, with fears over the processing of their applications. Despite the challenges, Spain has pledged to support Venezuelans in deciding their future while witnessing an increase in arrivals of Latin Americans, especially from Venezuela.
Individuals like Sarahy Chirinos and Eriana Zuleta, who have been away from their homeland for years, contemplate the possibility of returning to Venezuela amidst ongoing political transitions. Erick Zuleta, a former opposition deputy, envisions contributing to Venezuela’s recovery but acknowledges that the path ahead is contingent on unfolding events.
