While Venezuela might be miles away from Miami, what happens there still matters a lot to local high schoolers. More than 250,000 people of Venezuelan origin live in the greater Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. As political leader María Corina Machado works to bring democratic change to Venezuela, her story has captured headlines and brought people together across South Florida. For many students with roots in Latin America, seeing what is happening right now feels personal.
Standing for Freedom
María Corina Machado’s push for fair representation has started plenty of conversations in the hallways and classrooms. In a city like Miami, where so many families have ties to different parts of Latin America, her message of standing up for your rights is something many students identify.
Sophomore Liam Leon talked about why watching the news in Venezuela means a lot to him, even though his own family comes from somewhere else.
“Even though I’m Cuban, seeing what Maria Corina is doing for Venezuela makes me super happy,” he said. “Our families know what it’s like to want freedom and a better life back home. So whenever I see the Venezuelan people standing up for themselves, it feels like a win for all of us here.”
Hope Across South Florida
The support for Machado shows how common experiences can tie different groups together. For students at school, following global events alongside their friends helps them feel more connected.
Sophomore Layla Duarte explained how seeing the news impacts her and her classmates every day.
“Seeing everyone talk about it at school really makes you realize how connected we all are,” she said. “Even if your family isn’t from Venezuela, you still root for them. Nobody wants to see people suffer, so watching someone be that brave gives everyone a lot of hope.”
A Shared Connection
Whether it’s seeing posts on social media or talking with family at home, students are keeping a close eye on what comes next. As María Corina Machado’s efforts continue in Venezuela, the movement keeps reminding South Florida teenagers that caring about freedom is something that crosses every border.
