What do Venezuela's Earthquakes Mean for its Refugee Crisis and for U.S. Immigration Policy? With Ana Maria Diez

On June 24, two devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing thousands and displacing countless more – driving the country into a deeper humanitarian crisis. This catastrophe occurs at a moment when many Venezuelan refugees are growing disillusioned; the U.S. tells them it is safe to return home even as it sits side-by-side with sanctioned leaders from the regime that they fled. In this episode, we hear from Ana Maria Diez, a human rights lawyer and Venezuelan living in displacement, to understand the current earthquake response efforts and how this emergency is affecting people who have faced a longstanding humanitarian, economic, and political crisis. She talks about the false narrative that conditions have improved since Maduro's capture, how the Trump administration is cozying up with officials in the regime it claims to have overthrown, and the importance of advancing Venezuelan refugees' rights to participate in a democratic transition of the government. Timed Takeaways: [5:58] The fallout from the earthquakes and potential government interference in recovery efforts [15:20] Turning back the clock: why have 8 million people fled Venezuela? [18:16] Ana Maria's story: forced to flee her country [21:47] Same regime, different face: how the U.S. is backing repressive Maduro-aligned leaders [31:06] The power of collective action in the refugee-led movement [39:29] What it really means to leave your country [42:08] Maria's story: the toll of compounding crises on Venezuelans [47:53] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week Mentioned in This Episode: Inside 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' the U.S. Effort to Capture Maduro - New York Times U.S. Undercuts Venezuela's Opposition Leader as She Tries to Return- New York Times Earthquakes in Venezuela: Situation Report #13 - UNOCHA Temporary Protected Status protects families while also boosting the U.S. economy - FWD.us U.S. handshakes with Cabello sparks outrage across Venezuelan social media - Miami Herald Narcotics Rewards Program: Diosdado Cabello Rondón - U.S. Department of State Trump administration tweet ending TPS for Venezuelans - X International Technical Meeting on Human Mobility of Venezuelan Citizens in the Region (Quito Process) - IOM Independent Declaration on the Right to Participate - The Declaration Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Updates - ASAP Urgent: Congress Must Act Now to Protect Haitian TPS Holders in our Community - Refugees International WHO adds first diagnostic test for Ebola Bundibugyo virus to its Emergency Use Listing - WHO US soccer star Trump intervened to help is a citizen by birthright - which the president wants to end - The Independent They fled war as child refugees, now they're playing at World Cup 2026 - Al Jazeera Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup Team Is Already Changing the Country's Story - Time If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and consider a donation to support our work at https://give.refugeesinternational.org/a/forcedfromhome For more show episodes, visit https://refugeesinternational.org/forced-from-home-podcast Thoughts or suggestions? Get in touch with our team at ri@refugeesinternational.org Subscribe with us wherever you get your podcasts and follow Refugees International on social media @refugeesintl (Twitter/Instagram/Threads) and Refugees International (LinkedIn/Facebook/YouTube). You can also follow Jeremy on Twitter at @JeremyKonyndyk. This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music. And special thanks to Rachel Schmidtke and Eliza Leal.