Mirla Pérez, Venezuelan sociologist: ‘The migratory exodus caused an emotional rupture between the population and Chavismo’

Mirla Pérez, a Venezuelan sociologist and researcher at the Center for Popular Research in Caracas, has spent over three decades studying the emotional and social dynamics of Venezuela’s most impoverished communities. In a recent interview, she explained how the country’s prolonged migratory exodus has fundamentally altered the relationship between the population and the Chavista movement, describing it as an “emotional rupture” that is now irreversible.

According to Pérez, the migratory wave—driven by economic collapse, hyperinflation, and widespread shortages—has led many Venezuelans to associate their suffering directly with Chavismo. She noted that phrases like “my children left because of Chavismo” have become deeply embedded in public sentiment, particularly among the poorest sectors of society. This perception, she argues, represents a first wound of pain that continues to shape how people interpret the country’s political and social reality.

Pérez emphasized that while solidarity networks—family, neighbors, and religious groups—have helped prevent mass starvation in the barrios, the erosion of trust in state institutions is profound. Even when people accept government assistance, they do so out of necessity, not loyalty. She contrasted this with earlier years under Hugo Chávez, when, despite political divisions, many in the poorest communities still felt a sense of inclusion or access to basic needs.

The sociologist also pointed to specific periods—2014, 2017, and 2019—as years marked by intense violence and social unrest, during which the collective memory of pain was firmly established. These events, she said, have left lasting psychological scars that contribute to the population’s growing disengagement from the official narrative.

Despite government promises of economic reform and the introduction of initiatives like the “Communal State,” Pérez remains skeptical. She warned that such programs, if implemented without addressing the deep emotional and social fractures caused by migration and mistrust, risk being perceived as superficial or disconnected from lived reality.

Her operate, conducted through long-term qualitative studies including focus groups and in-depth interviews, has become a key reference for analysts, media, and policymakers seeking to understand not just what Venezuelans are doing, but how they are feeling. As Venezuela navigates its ongoing crisis, Pérez’s insights highlight the importance of addressing not only economic indicators but also the emotional dimensions of recovery and reconciliation.