Venezuelans in Survival Mode

“I noticed that you have a different accent, where are you from?” people ask.

“I am from Venezuela,” I respond.

“I am very sorry to hear about your country,” they say.

“Thank you. I really appreciate that.” – Carolina Smales

Dear reader:

Photography By Phillip Barrett, Jr

This article is not intended to offer an economic or political review of the crisis in Venezuela. However, it is important to mention the devastating situation that is currently affecting the country – a country with the proven largest oil reserves in the world – involving a dehumanized dictatorial government and a dramatic economic decline. Venezuelans are dying of hunger, victims of street crime and/or health complications due to the lack of resources or medications and therefore, millions have been forced to immigrate to places all around the world.

These lines below share pieces of the life journey of a group of Venezuelans who moved to Virginia in hopes of finding a safe place for their families, a new beginning, and a new home. Though inevitably many of these stories reflect disturbing facts about the current situation, they also offer valuable perspectives to anyone who might experience moments of vulnerability. From suddenly leaving everything they knew and everyone who they loved behind to the continuous assimilation and adaptation to their new life circumstances, Venezuelans just like many other immigrants and people who are trying to put themselves together from struggles, are living “in survival mode.”

When someone experiences a loss, the person goes through various emotional changes such as sadness, anger, guilt and frustration. We all deal with grief differently as we cross through a path of denial, insanity and acceptance. As a family counselor, Karelys Vazquez shared that advice with her patients for many years. Now she repeats those words to herself over and over wondering if she will ever be able to overcome the loss of her sons who were victims of crime in Venezuela. The Vazquez family, Karelys, her husband Nelson and children moved to Roanoke three years ago because their family was under continuous threat. We did not want to lose more children, therefore we had to make a decision of escaping from Venezuela,” said Nelson Vazquez through teary eyes. Nelson used to manage a business and he often felt frightened as most business owners there because they become a target of crime. Besides having acquired excellent managerial abilities over the years, when arriving to the U.S. Nelson’s ambition was just to find any opportunity that could enable him to care for his family. He searched for some time until he landed a job in construction, where he had to share a small room with others in a barn for several months. However, as difficult as this change was, while many workers complained about the accommodations, Nelson felt simply thankful for having the chance to provide for his family. Isaac Vazquez, the son of Karelys and Nelson was able to complete his high school degree in the U.S. and now is looking to enroll in a program for School of International Businesses next spring. “It has not been easy for our family, but I am so incredibly thankful to be here because for the first time in my life, after arriving to Roanoke I felt internal peace,” said Isaac, who is now 19.  Given that the so-called “revolution” (masked dictatorship) has affected Venezuela for more than two decades, Isaac only knew the Venezuela lead by the oppressive regimen of Hugo Chavez (deceased ex-president) and then by Nicolas Maduro (current dictator). “Here in Roanoke, I have learned how to live a normal life with my friends while I have taught them how to better value their privilege of freedom, access to food and healthcare. For example, I enjoy being able to walk on the street with a cell phone in my hand without being assaulted, and they try not to waste the food during their lunch as they reflect on the fact that I shared how many in my country of Venezuela starve and desperately search for food in the trash everyday” said Isaac Vazquez.

“There are more good people than bad, and we are going to move forward,” said Jhoana Herrera, who moved to Roanoke with her husband Jairo Rodriguez in 2016. We have the hope that the situation will be resolved in Venezuela, so we can return with others to reconstruct our culture. On Jan. 23, a critical moment in Venezuela’s history took place when Article 223 of the Venezuela’s constitution was invoked and the head of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, was elected as the interim president until new elections could be held. This brought tremendous hope to many Venezuelans who like Jhoana and Jairo dream on returning home one day.

Photography By Phillip Barrett, Jr

Unfortunately, right after Guaido officially became the interim president of Venezuela “a complicated strategic battle” started involving many countries recognizing him as the legitimate president instead of Maduro. These countries included the United States of America and multiple others in the European nations. While some leaders made public display of their various reasons to support Guaido as the president, there was and still exists great uncertainty about their interest. Do other nations truly care about our people and the dehumanization of the current dictatorship (which has been erroneously referred to as a socialist regime)? Or is it the focus on the oil reserve or perhaps was this another way to gain more popularity? These are some of the questions Venezuelans ask.

The Alarcons, Carol-Yoana and Nelson, used to travel frequently to the U.S. before making the decision to move to Virginia in 2015. “It is hard adapting to being far away from family. Our oldest son, a medical doctor who still lives in Venezuela, struggles with the crisis, and I am afraid of something terrible happening to him because no matter how old your children are, a mother will always be a mother,” said  Carol.

Due to the confusion regarding who is the legitimate President of Venezuela (Guaido or Maduro) now the Venezuelan consulates are not operating and processing passports or visas, which affects the Alarcon family a great deal as well as many others who hold documents that have expired, even though they are going through legitimate legalization processes. “A passport is the first form of ID required in most government offices, but many people do not acknowledge what the current situation is for us, the Venezuelan immigrants,” said Nelson.

Since 2017, the immigrants from Venezuela replaced those from China at the top of the list of U.S. political asylum requests. Political asylum is a type of protection under U.S. law that provides refuge to foreigners who can show they have been persecuted in their countries.

Photography By Phillip Barrett, Jr

It can take years for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process or issue decisions about the thousands of Venezuelans requesting political asylum. Therefore, it would be incredibly encouraging to see our local authorities and people in the community support Venezuelans by creating awareness about the current crisis, addressing the lengthy immigration process “Asylum Pending status” which relates to a legal authorization to remain in the U.S. while an asylum case is pending, authorization to work with a Social Security number (which can be obtained after 150 days after the asylum case is submitted) and permission to attend higher education classes.

We the People from Venezuela would like to say thank you to all in Roanoke, Virginia who have treated us with kindness and compassion as we continue trying to adapt to many different circumstances and to re-shape our lives.

Special thanks to the Vazquez and Alarcon families, Jhoana Herrera, Jairo Rodriguez, William Villarreal, Yolimar Villarreal and Yanilly Restrepo from Venezuela for sharing their heart-felt stories. Also, to our friends Victor Lamas and Roaxana Lamas for offering their insight and support always. Gloria al bravo pueblo – Glory to the Brave People