Venezuelans in Spain, including prominent opposition figures and citizens, have long awaited the day when Nicolás Maduro would no longer hold power in their home country. Xiomara Sierra, who fled Venezuela in 2024 after facing threats for her political activities, has expressed concerns about the current interim leadership led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, whom Sierra views as a tool of repression.
The influx of Venezuelan refugees seeking shelter in Spain has been notable in recent years, with approximately 400,000 Venezuelans now residing in the country. Despite the hopes for a democratic transition under opposition leader María Corina Machado, many exiles like Sarahy Chirinos, a bakery owner in Madrid, find themselves grappling with mixed emotions and uncertainties about the future.
While some political prisoners have been released in Venezuela following international pressure, critics like Sierra argue that more significant reforms are needed for genuine change to occur. The exiled opposition members in Spain, including figures like Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and Antonio Ledezma, are advocating for recognition of the 2024 election results and urging strategic patience amid ongoing political challenges.
The situation remains precarious for Venezuelan asylum seekers in Spain, with fears of potential policy changes impacting their status. Despite the complexities of their journeys and the uncertainties ahead, Venezuelans in Spain are cautiously considering the possibility of returning home for the country’s reconstruction, should conditions improve in the future.