Hello Midwest Mujeres!
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we are thrilled to share exciting updates about our Be Bold Ambassador Program, which is in partnership with the Waunakee and Fitchburg libraries. We are now forming our ideas into events, and the women are meeting and creating new circles of support. The library and public spaces are important and underutilized resources for Latinas.
As a reader and fan of pivotal stories, I'm so proud of this blog; Fernanda Alayo has truly stepped into the complexities of how politics, women's health, and democracy are lived. I am happy for Anabel's trust in Midwest Mujeres and her sharing her story. It's bold, and that is what we are known for.
Bold Stories. Bold Mujeres.
This week, we’re honored to feature a powerful letter, A Call for Solidarity: Venezuelan Voices and the Fight for Democracy, from one of our members, Anabel Carruyo.
I am thrilled to be here today as a member of Midwest Mujeres and to have the opportunity to share something very close to my heart. I want to bring attention to a matter of great importance: Venezuela. Let’s talk about it.
My name is Anabel Carruyo, and I am a mother with a deep love for Venezuela, the country I was forced to leave behind. Despite the hardships, I’ve fought with passion and determination to create a better life for myself and my daughter while also helping others through my work in real estate here in Madison. With a background in banking, where I managed mortgages, my transition into real estate felt natural. This work has allowed me to connect with fellow Latinos and immigrant families, supporting them in their journey to achieve the dream of homeownership—a goal that has become increasingly difficult due to economic instability.
I understand the fear of financial insecurity firsthand, having lived through it in Venezuela. In 1998, I began to witness the collapse of the economy, with inflation soaring into the thousands—a situation almost unimaginable, even in war-torn nations. Sanctions crippled Venezuela’s ability to import goods, and many pharmaceutical companies and factories shut down or left the country. I endured this harsh reality for over a decade.
In 2017, I faced the heartbreaking decision to leave my family and friends behind. I was pregnant with my first daughter, full of hope and dreams for her future when I learned I had a high-risk pregnancy. The lack of proper medical care in Venezuela made it impossible for me to stay. That was my turning point, and I arrived in the U.S. that same year.
My heart goes out to the families who don’t have the opportunity to leave. The process of escaping and seeking asylum has become far more difficult, and many Venezuelan families are trapped with no viable paths to safety.
It has been 25 years since Chávez became president of Venezuela through democratic elections, taking advantage of widespread discontent by promising a fairer society. A military man resentful of the elites, Chávez seized absolute control of the institutions that generated wealth, changed the constitution to perpetuate his power, expropriated properties to reward his followers, expelled residents, imprisoned opponents, and murdered or tortured protesters. He leveraged the oil boom to buy allies worldwide, fund internal corruption, and undermine legal security, plunging the country into an economic crisis unprecedented in Latin America.
Before he died in 2013, Chávez transferred power to Nicolás Maduro through means that bypassed the democratic electoral process. By then, the electoral system was already subordinated to the dictatorship, and the will of the people no longer mattered.
On July 28th, 2024, presidential elections were held under the dictatorship's complete control. The process was marked by the absence of international observers, the presence of disqualified candidates, a lack of checks and balances, and widespread threats and bribery. Maduro was once again proclaimed the winner by the CNE in another act of electoral fraud.
Democracy is hard-fought. Recently, we saw this through Edmundo Gonzalez’s representation of the opposition party. However, the dictatorship has been violently attacking the opposition and its leaders, who continue to fight for their voices to be heard.
The international community has issued statements and calls for transparency, but meaningful action has yet to follow. Meanwhile, Venezuelans continue to suffer and die under the dictatorship, while the military clings to power to avoid facing justice for their crimes. The courage and determination of our people are no longer enough on their own—we need more.
Venezuela is facing a humanitarian crisis that borders on genocide, yet Venezuelans are not asking for pity—we are asking for support at this critical moment. It is vital that we hold our global leaders accountable, urging them to consider not just what is convenient, but what is right. While it may be convenient for some, like the U.S., to overlook the crisis due to interests such as oil, we must demand that they stand with Venezuela in its fight for democracy, justice, and freedom. Together, we can foster a path toward peace and reconciliation. After all, we are all citizens of the world!
As a call to action, I urge you to:
Stay Informed:
Read up on Venezuela's situation from reputable sources such as:
Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro Relies on Army, Patronage, and Fear to Stay in Power (MSN)
Venezuelan Election: Opposition Disputes Nicolás Maduro's Win (MSN)
What’s Happening in Venezuela - Protests, Election Uncertainty, and an Economic Crisis (CNN)
Follow trusted voices, including:
Fernando del Rincón (CNN en Español)
Maria Elvira Salazar (U.S. Congresswoman representing Florida’s 27th District)
The Carter Center (an NGO dedicated to advancing human rights and alleviating suffering)
NTN 24 (International news channel)
Engage in Conversations:
Share your thoughts and questions by commenting below and join discussions with others.
Talk about Venezuela's crisis with family and friends to spread awareness.
Use Your Voice:
Participate in the electoral process wherever you are to hold your leaders accountable for their role in supporting Venezuela’s struggle for democracy.
Let's stand together for a free and democratic Venezuela!
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