Your Guide to Venezuela: A Deep Dive into the Culture

Dear Hyphenly Readers,

The news is bleak these days. All over the US, people are gathering to protest the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot in her car by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.

At Hyphenly, our goal has always been to enrich our readers with more holistic stories that showcase the achievements and joys of immigrants. But our hearts are heavy this week. Today, we’re discussing another issue that has taken hold of American media.

Venezuela is known for having the largest oil preserves in the world. But due to policies by its late former President Hugo Chávez, the country’s economy has been crashing. About 7.9 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N.

Following Chávez’s death in 2013, his mentee Maduro won the presidency in a special election. His rule is categorized by human rights violations and extreme poverty in the country. In 2020, during the first Trump Administration, the US charged Maduro for allegedly ‘running a narcoterrorism conspiracy and using cocaine as a weapon to “flood” the U.S.’ 

On Jan 3^rd, the US launched a military operation across Venezuela and captured Maduro and his wife. According to Reuters, Venezuela's interior minister Diosdado Cabello said that a 100 people died in the U.S. attack.

There’s been a lot of mixed reactions to this attack. There is fear and uncertainty in the country as a dictatorship has been upended only to be replaced by “a more convenient dictatorship.”

In the midst of this discussion, however, many forget about the regular everyday people of Venezuela: their culture, language, art. If you want to learn more about the country, we’ve created a handy guide for you.

MOVIES

A DOT AND A LINE (2004)

This is the story of a young Colombian recruit who, while patrolling his country's border, is befriended by a Venezuelan adversary, and the tragic consequences of their relationship.

MY STRAIGHT SON (2012)

Fashion photographer, Diego suddenly needs to care for the teenage son he's not seen in years just as his boyfriend is put in a coma from a brutal assault. Father and son must grow to understand each other’s worlds to face other problems.

BOOKS

It Would Be Night in Caracas by Karina Sainz Borgo, translated from Spanish by Elizabeth Bryer 

Adelaida had a stable childhood in a prosperous Venezuela that accepted immigrants in search of a better life, where she lived with her single-mother in a humble apartment. But now? Every day she lines up for bread that will inevitably be sold out by the time she reaches the registers. Every night she tapes her windows to shut out the tear gas raining down on protesters. When looters masquerading as revolutionaries take over her apartment, Adelaida must make a series of gruesome choices in order to survive in a country disintegrating into anarchy, where citizens are increasingly pitted against each other. But just how far is she willing to go?

The film adaptation of this thrilling debut was shown at TIFF in 2025.

Freedom is a Feast by Alejandro Puyana

In 1964, Stanislavo, a zealous young man devoted to his ideals, turns his back on his privilege to join the leftist movement in the jungles of Venezuela. There, as he trains, he meets Emiliana, a nurse and fellow revolutionary. Though their intense connection seems to be love at first sight, their romance is upended by a decision with consequences that will echo down through the generations.

MUSIC

Oscar D'León

He is affectionately called The Pharaoh of Salsa, The Lion of Salsa, and the World's Sonero. 

Hugo Blanco

He was a popular Venezuelan musician. He is best known for his song "Moliendo Café", written in 1958, which has become one of the most recognized Venezuelan songs in the world.

At Hyphenly, we always strive to deliver the best recommendations, whether it’s to unpack a political event, or just to give you a weekend watch. Have a recommendation for us? We read every email.

Before you leave, we recently launched a new miniseries podcast called Borderly to take a closer look at the stories from the Mexican-American border. The first episode is out now on all streaming services.

Until next time,
Team Hyphenly

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This newsletter was curated by Suhasini Patni.

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