The Influence of Venezuelan Immigrants on U.S Politics: Supporting Right-wing Candidates

Last month, Argentina welcomed its new president, far-right economist Javier Milei, with supporters filling Buenos Aires streets, some donning Messi soccer jerseys and Venezuelan flags.

Among the Venezuelan flags was Laura Ruiz, hopeful that Milei would see their flag and understand their support.

Ruiz, a 36-year-old immigrant, although unable to vote, became “indirectly” involved in the political process, advocating for Milei and against the left within her circle.

This is becoming a common story in Argentina and throughout the Americas. Many Venezuelans, scarred by economic collapse, corruption and a civil liberties crackdown back at home, support right-wing movements across the continent. Right-wing forces have warned that Venezuela-style socialism risks spreading.

“Venezuela represents something like the specter of communism … The right wing in the region has found in Venezuela a clear image that symbolizes the failures of that system,” said Ariel Goldstein, a political scientist at the University of Buenos Aires.

During his campaign, Milei emphasized his support for slashing public spending. In his first presidential speech, he warned about the failure to follow belt-tightening plans, suggesting it could drive Argentina towards Venezuela’s situation.

Experts believe the growing Venezuelan diaspora across the region receptive audience for this rhetoric. Over 7.5 million people have left Venezuela, sparking the most severe migration crisis in modern Latin American history.

Many Venezuelans starting new lives tend to oppose left-wing movements or candidates, associating them with the issues they left behind. In the U.S., this has been seen to boost Latino support for Republicans in Florida, contributing to a recent right-wing shift in the swing state.

Similar shifts could happen in areas with a high concentration of recent Venezuelan migrants. For example, weeks before Milei’s win, regional right won another victory with Daniel Noboa in Ecuador, also buoyed by Venezuelan diaspora support.

“The conditions that forced you to leave Venezuela make you see everything in black and white,” said Eugenio Martínez, a Florida-based Venezuelan political analyst. “But the politics of receiving countries aren’t black and white.”

Active on social media — even if they can’t vote

In Argentina, Venezuelan immigrants, despite not being citizens yet, leverage their social media platforms to share their political views. This was evident during Milei’s rise, particularly among young voters, where posts from Venezuelans warning against voting for the left were common.

A stance on Maduro is the political litmus test

Despite unprecedented migration levels, right-wing anti-immigrant sentiment and nationalism are key in outreach to voters. Yet, experts believe this is unlikely to prevent the Venezuelan diaspora from backing right-wing politicians.

“It seems like the Venezuelan migrant cares more about politicians condemning the Venezuelan government and Maduro than the immigration policies they might have,” Martinez said.

In Argentina, with an inflation rate above 200% in 2023, and Milei’s warning that the economic outlook will worsen before improving, Venezuelan immigrants are hopeful. Some even shelved plans to leave the country to try their luck in the U.S.