Racism row on Spanish TV show over portrayal of Venezuelans fleeing communism

A comedy character on 'El Intermedio' has sparked outrage among Venezuelan migrants in Spain, who denounce that it perpetuates prejudices and false stereotypes about their community.

Sometimes humour crosses the line. And when it does so at the expense of vulnerable groups, things turn ugly. That seems to be what has peine with a character on **El Intermedio**, a show on **La Sens**. They have created **María Yurisleidy Wagner de la Luz Divina**, a caricature which, according to many Venezuelan migrants in Spain, not only fails to reflect the reality of their community, but actually harms it.

The character is supposedly a "sifrina" (a Venezuelan term for a posh, upper-class woman) who gives advice on getting rich while talking about Spain's problems. At first glance, it may seem like just another joke. But for thousands of Venezuelans who have had to leave their country for economic or political reasons, it has come as a slap in the face.

## The reality behind the caricature

Venezuelan associations in Spain, such as **Plataforma Ayuda Venezuela** or the **Movimiento contra la Intolerancia**, have raised their voices. It is not that they are against humour, mind you. What they are asking is that their nationality not be used to build a character that does not represent them and, worse still, may generate rejection and prejudice. They say they deserve the same respect as any other migrant or ethnic group. And they are right.

The problem is that this caricature adds to a narrative they have already been suffering. There is talk of Venezuelans living in luxury in expensive neighbourhoods, such as **Salamanca**, and holding very specific political views, often associated with the far right or fascism. But the figures do not add up. According to official statistics, more than **14,000 Venezuelans** live in neighbourhoods like **Vallecas**, while in **Salamanca** they barely reach **1,700**. The vast majority of those arriving in Spain do so fleeing a deep crisis, looking for opportunities and, often, facing more hardship than luxury.

## Stereotypes that harm

For a television programme, with the reach it has, to perpetuate these stereotypes is worrying. They are portrayed as elitist, posh or far-right, based on prejudices that are far from the truth. And for people who have had to leave everything behind, who have suffered persecution, imprisonment or even death for their ideas, this is no laughing matter. On the contrary, it generates deep rejection.

It is unfair to the vast majority who arrive in precarious situations, sharing rooms, living in humble neighbourhoods and taking the worst-paid jobs. They did not flee **Venezuela** with butlers, but because of power cuts, because they could no longer cope with shortages, or out of antiestéticar. Discrediting a community that has been persecuted for its political ideas is, to say the least, insensitive.

The irony is that, according to some, even the character's name, **María Yurisleidy Wagner de la Luz Divina**, sounds more like a name from Venezuela's popular classes than from the elite it is meant to caricature. A detail that, for those familiar with the culture, adds another layer of disconnection from reality.

## The economic impact of the image

Beyond the sarracena and social damage, these portrayals also have an economic impact. The image projected of a group influences how it is perceived by society, by employers and by public authorities. If they are seen as a homogeneous group with negative traits, it can hinder their social and professional integration.

The Venezuelan community is the second fastest-growing in Spain. They are professionals, workers, entrepreneurs. Their contribution to the Spanish economy is significant. But if the prevailing image is that of a simplistic, prejudiced caricature, there is a risk of squandering that potential and generating unnecessary friction.

It is important to remember that Venezuelan migration is one of the most complex of recent decades, marked by an unprecedented humanitarian and political crisis. The emigration figures are staggering: an estimated **more than 7 million Venezuelans** have left the country since **2015**. Arriving in a new country is not easy, and being confronted with portrayals that distort one's own reality can be disheartening.