Venezuelan migrants at the border await changes following elections in their country.

As Venezuelan migrants find themselves at the border between Mexico and the United States, waiting to cross into an uncertain future, their thoughts are directed toward the presidential elections taking place this Sunday in their country. With hopes for a political change that would allow them to return to their homeland, many trust that the elections will mark the beginning of a new path for Venezuela, which is currently trapped in a devastating socioeconomic crisis. Abel Jesús Álvarez, a 22-year-old young man, is one of those migrants who has left his home in search of better opportunities. From the border city of Juárez, he shares his hopes for a victory by the opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. “Nicolás Maduro's government is useless,” he asserts with determination, reflecting the sentiment of millions who have decided to leave their country in recent years. Hunger, lack of basic services, and repression have driven more than seven million Venezuelans to seek refuge in other nations. The political situation in Venezuela is tense and fraught with uncertainty. Just days before the election, the atmosphere feels heavy. Maduro, who is seeking a third term in power, faces an opposition that, despite the adversities, has managed to organize itself to ensure transparency in the electoral process. The migrants waiting to cross into the United States are aware of the importance of these elections, not only for their country but also for their own lives. “I pray to God a lot. I hope that lady (María Corina Machado) wins,” expressed Ruiz, another migrant who, like Álvarez, has placed his hopes in political change. Although Machado does not appear on the ballot due to a political disqualification, her influence persists. The opposition candidate, González Urrutia, has become her representation, and the migrants see in him an opportunity for redemption for a nation that has suffered from the ineffectiveness of the current regime. Argenis Alexander Betancourt, 30, also shares this longing. He acknowledges that a potential opposition victory could allow him to return to Venezuela, although he clarifies that he would not do so immediately. “It is necessary to allow time for the new government to restore the economy,” he notes, highlighting the deep crisis that has left indelible marks on all aspects of daily life in his country. However, the election is marred by government repression. The refusal to allow international observers has raised concerns among the migrant community and those still residing in Venezuela. Several former leaders and political figures have been deported or denied entry, raising serious doubts about the transparency of the electoral process. This situation has led many migrants to distrust the legitimacy of any results that may emerge. Maduro, for his part, has declared that his victory would guarantee peace in the country, highlighting the polarization that characterizes Venezuelan politics. His warning that the opposition's rise to power could unleash a “bloodbath” resonates strongly among those who have witnessed violence and repression in recent years. However, for migrants, the idea of new leadership represents a glimmer of hope amid the darkness. The days leading up to the elections are crucial, and uncertainty hangs in the air. The hopes of thousands of Venezuelans abroad are tied to what happens at the polls. For many, like Álvarez, Betancourt, and Ruiz, the outcome could determine not only their future but also that of their families left behind. The possibility of returning to a country in reconstruction is a desire they fervently share, even as they remain aware of the challenges that await them. Thus, as the clock ticks toward election day, the fate of Venezuela hangs by a thread. The migrant community closely follows every movement, every statement, every rumor that could influence their longed-for return. The quest for change in their country is in their hearts, and with hope intact, they await the outcome that could change their lives forever.