Venezuela, a country in northern South America, has been experiencing a protracted crisis since 2013. The deep economic decline of the Bolivarian Republic (the country's official name reflects the cult of Simón Bolívar , the liberator of Spain's colonies on the continent) is now threatened by political uncertainty following the illegal kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States. In these circumstances, the country's small Muslim community has demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Historically, the presence of Muslims in Latin America can be traced back to the colonial era, when Moors and Moriscos arrived on the continent from the Iberian Peninsula. The formation of organized communities, however, is associated with later waves of immigration. The exact number of Muslims in Venezuela, according to various sources, ranges from 100,000 to 200,000. These are primarily descendants of Arab immigrants from Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, along with a small number of converts. The majority are Sunni.
Muslims reside primarily in Caracas, the bustling and diverse capital; Maracaibo, the second-largest city, and the western oil hub; Valencia, one of the country's key industrial centers; and Punta Fijo, home to the massive Paraguaná Oil Refinery. Relations between the state and the Muslim community have traditionally been based on the constitutional recognition of religious freedom.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has consistently demonstrated public respect for the Ummah, positioning it as an important part of a pluralistic society. His regular greetings on religious holidays, attendance at Muslim events, and statements such as the "honor" of living together in peace form an official narrative of recognition. This symbolic attention has sometimes been reinforced by personal gestures, such as hints about a possible conversion to Islam — as Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu mentioned in 2019.
This domestic rhetoric is closely linked to a foreign policy strategy initiated under Hugo Chávez. Active rapprochement with the Muslim world, particularly Iran, served the purpose of counterbalancing US influence. A significant side effect of this policy was the strengthening of the position and increased role of the Shia portion of Venezuela's Muslim community, represented by the Imam al-Hadi Islamic Center in Caracas. However, public respect and geopolitical alliances do not alleviate the crushing burden of hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods from ordinary Muslims.
The institutional organization of the Venezuelan ummah helps overcome hardships. There is an Islamic cultural center (Centro Islámico de Venezuela) in Caracas, which includes the Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim Mosque (one of the largest in Latin America), a library, and educational institutions. Across the country, small centers, from Maracaibo to Valencia, provide modest but much-needed educational and social support services, coordinating medical care, and distributing food packages to families hardest hit by the crisis.
However, as a result of the economic collapse, the Muslim community is experiencing an exodus. Families, driven by necessity, are leaving for neighboring Colombia and Brazil, as well as Chile, the United States, and Spain, in search of stability and opportunity. The outflow is undulating, but the overall trend of community decline is undeniable. Mosques and Islamic centers are losing members, teachers, and young leaders, threatening religious education and the continuity of traditions. With the departure of business owners, shops and enterprises that for decades financed mosques and created jobs are closing.
Faith helps those who remain endure. Mosques are not only places of prayer but also centers for mutual aid, education, and interfaith dialogue. Muslims actively participate in social life, strive for integration, and respect local culture. Women freely wear the hijab, which has become a symbol of the country's religious diversity. In difficult times, more and more Venezuelans are turning to Islam for spiritual support, meaning, order, and a strong community.
In mid-January 2026, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced that Venezuela had signed a contract for the export of liquefied natural gas for the first time in its history. All foreign exchange proceeds will be channeled through the Central Bank to support the national currency. Part of the proceeds will go to sovereign wealth funds for social protection, while the remaining revenue will be used for investment in infrastructure and public services, intended to serve as a driver for the revival and long-term development of the Bolivarian Republic's economy.
In a favorable scenario involving the easing of US sanctions or the formation of new regional agreements, Venezuela could enter a cautious phase of recovery. In this context, existing mosques and Islamic centers, already accustomed to serving as platforms for mutual support during the worst years, could transform into broader community supports. One thing is certain: ultimately , the fate of the Venezuelan ummah will depend not only on economics or geopolitics. It will be influenced by the Muslims themselves, through the strength of their faith, the strength of their unity, and their spiritual growth.
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