Monday, January 12, 2026- Venezuelan exiles in Chile are navigating a mix of optimism and growing concern as they watch political developments back home unfold. In Santiago’s Parque Almagro, more than 1,000 Venezuelans gathered to celebrate news of the U.S. operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro, expressing hope that this could hasten the end of the crisis that forced them into exile.
Many spoke of dreams of returning to Venezuela to help rebuild and restore democratic governance, but that hope is tempered by a recognition that deep political and institutional roots in Venezuela will not be undone overnight.
Chile has become one of the largest hosts of Venezuelan migrants in Latin America, with the 2024 census counting roughly 669,000 Venezuelans far more than any other foreign group in the country. Waves of migration, including those who arrived on foot through harsh terrain during the pandemic, have shaped vibrant diaspora communities across the nation.
Venezuelan food, culture, and social networks have grown more visible as migrants settle and build new lives, even as many continue to support relatives back home amidst ongoing economic collapse and displacement.
At the same time, exiles face significant uncertainty and local pushback. A notable portion of the Venezuelan community in Chile lives without full legal status, with an estimated 334,000 undocumented residents and political rhetoric tying migration to crime and insecurity gaining traction.
Chile’s incoming president‑elect has made strong anti‑immigration statements and proposed strict measures against undocumented migrants, raising fears about increased detentions or deportations for many Venezuelans who fled crisis and repression. This reality alongside cautious optimism about Venezuela’s future leaves Chile’s Venezuelan exiles caught between hope for change and anxiety about their present and future security.
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