Venezuelan Comedians in Exile: Laughing Through Adversity

Venezuelan comedians, exiled by political oppression and dire economic conditions, are using humor to navigate their struggles.

Venezuelan comedy has found a new stage abroad, with comedians like Estefanía León transforming personal and collective trauma into humor. León, now in Mexico City and part of El Cuartico, one of many Venezuelan comedy troupes, reflects on humor's power in the face of adversity. Back in Caracas during a severe economic crisis in 2017, León faced a daunting reality: intense political unrest, public protests, food shortages, and debilitating inflation. Her father’s illness and the inaccessibility of medicine compounded her hardships.

León's role as a writer for the popular satirical site El Chigüire Bipolar demanded daily humor, even as she dodged tear gas on her commute to work. With President Nicolás Maduro’s regime tightening control over free speech, the risks of satire became increasingly apparent. Describing comedy as her "trench" for expressing sociopolitical critique, León grappled with the fear of imprisonment for her jokes. Despite the scarcity of essentials, repressive governance, and pervasive fear, the spirit of comedic resistance endures. Venezuelan comedians have turned their experiences into poignant and relatable narratives, exploring the resilience nurtured through laughter amidst their struggles.