Venezuelan migrants in Chicago say election results could sway decision to stay or return home
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Sunday was election day in Venezuela, and the outcome could result in ripple effects across the Americas and for thousands of Venezuelan migrants in Chicago.
Many local Venezuelans rallied on the Magnificent Mile Sunday to bring attention to what many say is the most consequential presidential election in their lifetimes and support friends and family back home. They say there is so much riding on the election, which will very likely determine if people stay or decide to leave their homeland.
Venezuelan pride and excitement also emanated over Kedzie Avenue in Humboldt Park, where an impromptu street takeover caused gridlock. Chicago police quickly moved in to control the swarm of cars that flooded the area just after 6 p.m.
Many of those who turned out Sunday did so in support of opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, whom they hope will end President Nicolas Maduro's 11-year rule. Gonzalez is vowing to do away with socialist policies that have led to unlivable wages, widespread hunger, and a crippling economy.
This has led many, including Anthony Cesario, to flee the country. He's among the tens of thousands of migrants who now call Chicago home. He arrived a year ago and said he is hopeful that Venezuela could be free and Madura could leave the presidency.
Like many who fled, he said he struggled to feed his family.
But as the opposition grows, there have been growing concerns over voter fraud and whether they will be able to have a fair and free election in Venezuela. Maduro's 2018 reelection was considered fraudulent by many, including the United States.
Since 2022, 45,000 migrants have relocated to Chicago, and a majority of them are from Venezuela. Some say the election results could prompt a surge or lead to a drop in migrants coming across the border.
One thing most of the local Venezuelans agree on is they want change.
"Today, we're fed up. There's 8.9 million Venezuelans that have left Venezuela and have migrated all over the world to find a better life. Many of them have not been able to find a better life. Matter of fact, many of them have died trying to find a better life," said Venezuelan Ana Serafin. "So today, we really want these elections to happen in the most specific way possible, the most democratic way possible for us to find the freedom that Venezuela deserves."
Exit polls show President Nicolas Maduro's 11-year reign could be coming to an end as the opposition appears to have brought out the vote.
Election results were slowly coming in Sunday night, but there were also reports of long lines still at polling places well after they had closed. Results could take a couple of days.