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“I feel insecure for my family and my friends because the current government is promoting violence,” expressed Garcia Brito. His concern is echoed by many who are worried about the well-being of their loved ones in the wake of the recent US military actions.
The early hours of January 3, 2026, were marked by chaos in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, as pedestrians scrambled for safety during explosions, and the ominous presence of low-flying aircraft filled the skies. The scene was reminiscent of a city on edge, with fear palpable among the citizens.
Reports on the aftermath of the US strikes remain inconclusive, with official casualty figures yet to be verified. However, an unnamed Venezuelan official told the New York Times that at least 40 people have lost their lives due to the attack.
According to the 2021 Census, over 6,600 individuals born in Venezuela now reside in Australia, highlighting the global diaspora’s concern for their homeland’s safety and stability.
The official numbers of the casualties from the US attack on Venezuela have not been confirmed yet, but the New York Times has reported at least 40 people were killed, according to an unnamed Venezuelan official.
More than 6,600 people born in Venezuela are living in Australia, according to the 2021 Census.
Sydney resident Maria Fernanda Garcia Brito is concerned for loved ones in Venezuela following the US operation in her home country. Credit: SBS News
‘Familiar with heartbreak’
Genesis Lindstrom, the president of the Venezuelan Association of Australia, has several relatives back home who she said went through “some pretty scary moments”.
After the attack, US President Donald Trump said the US will “run” Venezuela for a time, “until such time as the proper transition can take place”.
The community gathered in Papelon, a Venezuelan restaurant in Melbourne, a day after the US attacks.
Lindstrom said the attacks were “a lot more complex than saying you supported or not”. She said the community had been seeking a democratic transition of power for decades.
“We are now calling for the liberation of political prisoners, over around 1,000 people, including teenagers, who are in prison unjustly and kept in inhumane conditions,” she said.
