Venezuelan migrants across South America and Europe are facing significant hurdles in their attempts to register to vote in their country’s presidential election on Sunday. Despite nearly 8 million Venezuelans having left their country in the past decade, only about 68,000 have successfully registered to vote abroad.
Voter advocacy groups have reported various issues, including closed consulates and complex documentation requirements. These obstacles have led to frustration among migrants who see this election as a crucial opportunity to address Venezuela’s severe economic crisis and potentially pave the way for their return home.
In Spain, the largest site for foreign voting, many Venezuelans have struggled due to stringent requirements. The embassy demanded at least 12 months on a Spanish residency permit, which is challenging for those with permits renewed annually for humanitarian reasons. Eriana Zuleta, who managed to register because she has Spanish citizenship, noted that most others have been unable to meet the criteria.
In Uruguay, the situation is similar. The electoral authority’s system requires a five-year residency permit, but initial permits are only granted for three years. As a result, fewer than 500 out of 33,000 Venezuelans in Uruguay have registered to vote.
Brazilian voters face a different problem. Many live far from the Venezuelan embassy polling station in Brasília, making it financially and logistically difficult to cast their votes. Hector Lopez from Porto Alegre expressed frustration over the long distance and high travel costs.
Overall, the low registration figures highlight the challenges faced by Venezuelans abroad in participating in their country’s elections, reflecting broader issues within the migration and voting processes.
