WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao-based foundation Fundación Venezolano en el Extranjero (Venex ABC Caribbean) has warned the government in Willemstad that a new category of Venezuelan migrants could soon emerge: supporters of the Maduro regime seeking to move capital abroad and evade justice.
According to Venex chairperson Jennifer Sifontes, this group would be fundamentally different from earlier waves of Venezuelan refugees. “These will not be people arriving by boat,” she said. “We are talking about individuals who want to flee prosecution, launder money, or invest funds obtained through drug trafficking and other forms of corruption. Authorities must ask serious questions about the origin of the money when Venezuelans suddenly arrive with large investments.”
Sifontes stressed that this potential development requires vigilance from local authorities, especially in the financial and investment sectors. She added that Venex hopes the situation on the island will remain calm, noting that the organization has previously faced threats related to its work.
At present, Venex is primarily focused on providing accurate and balanced information to Venezuelans, both on the island and in Venezuela itself. The foundation works with partners such as Caritas and the International Organization for Migration to counter what it describes as one-sided information coming from the Maduro government.
“We advise people in Venezuela to remain calm, stay off the streets, and follow official and reliable news channels,” Sifontes said. “The only information many people inside the country receive comes from the Maduro administration, and that is dangerous.” She added that Venex has received information suggesting that Starlink may provide free internet access to the Venezuelan population in the coming month, allowing citizens to access information from outside the country directly.
Sifontes emphasized that Venex does not operate as a political organization, but rather from a humanitarian perspective. At the same time, she made clear that the foundation stands for democracy and free, fair elections. Venex would like to organize a gathering for Venezuelans on Curaçao to share their emotions and concerns, but logistical and permit-related challenges make this difficult. “We will try to organize activities within the church and come together in prayer,” she said.
Asked whether recent events in Venezuela could lead to a civil war, Sifontes said she does not believe so. “People understand the risks. There are many Maduro supporters who are armed but not trained to use weapons properly. That in itself poses a serious danger to civilians.”
Cautious optimism among opposition supporters
Mary Goiry, Curaçao representative of the organization Vente, which is linked to the Venezuelan opposition movement led by María Corina Machado, expressed mixed feelings about the current situation.
“We are relieved that Maduro has been arrested, but we are still waiting to see what kind of transition will follow,” Goiry said. “Chavismo is still in power, so there is nothing to celebrate yet. There is uncertainty and tension.”
Goiry also voiced concern about the role of the United States in the current phase. “The idea that President Donald Trump would take the lead is not something that makes us happy either,” she said. “At the same time, something major had to happen to break the dictatorship, and we could not do that ourselves. It did not happen in the right way, but at least there is a sense that there may be light at the end of the tunnel.”
The warnings and reactions underline the complex implications of developments in Venezuela for Curaçao, ranging from humanitarian concerns to financial oversight and regional stability.