'Venezuela was a rich country before, now it feels like decades have been lost'

Venezuelan woman, Maria Isabel Meza Silva,now living in Bettystown, describes the turmoil afflicting her homeland and the violence and lawlessness that saw her father murdered.

A VENEZUELAN woman now living in Bettystown has shared harrowing memories of violence and loss in her homeland, as her country faces further uncertainty following the recent shock U.S. intervention.

Maria Isabel Meza Silva, originally from Maracay, about 70 miles from capital Caracas, and now Programme Manager for the STEM Passport for Inclusion programme at Maynooth University, described the shock and cautious relief many Venezuelans feel as President Nicolás Maduro was removed from power after 13 years.

“At 14, we were woken during the night by armed men who tied us up and robbed our apartment,” she recalled. “It was terrifying.”

Her father was later shot while attending a barbecue in 2016, in a violent episode linked to a workplace dispute. “The justice system is so broken that we never got closure,” she said.

Despite such experiences, Ms Meza Silva has built a stable life in Ireland. She first came in 2013 to learn English, returning permanently in 2018, and now lives in Bettystown with her partner. She manages a national programme supporting women and girls from underserved communities to access education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths.

“Participants earn a Level 6 university qualification, alongside mentoring and work experience,” she explained. “It’s about opportunity and inclusion.”

Venezuela has lived under the same political system for more than two decades, first under Hugo Chávez and later under Maduro, who took power in 2013. “People tried protests, elections, and legal routes to change things, but nothing worked. There was always control. Military intervention was never what people wanted, but for many it felt like the last possible option,” she said.

Daily life during the height of the crisis was fraught with uncertainty. “There were food shortages, electricity cuts, and long queues for fuel. You could only shop on certain days depending on your national ID number. Prices changed daily because of inflation. Sometimes I came home from school to no electricity, and we lived on the 18th floor,” she said.

Reflecting on her childhood, she added, “Venezuela was a very rich country before. Roads, beaches, shopping centres, toys — everything was available. Now it feels like decades have been lost.

Yet despite the hardships, she remains hopeful for Venezuela’s future. “Even being able to visit again would mean everything. To see something of the country I grew up in that’s the dream,” she said.

Millions of Venezuelans left their homes not by choice, but out of necessity. “More than eight million people didn’t want to leave.

They left because they had to.” Maria and her family were one of those leaving Venezuela to live in Columbia where her parents are from originally.

Though she hasn’t returned to Venezuela since 2016, she stays in touch with friends still living there. “One friend in Caracas described it as a tense calm. But he’s hopeful. People have suffered for a long time.”

Her experiences have also given her a unique perspective on life.

“When you’ve lived through violence and shortages, it changes how you see things. You don’t take stability for granted,” she said.

For Ms Meza Silva, the U.S. intervention and current political developments are more than news headlines — they are the next chapter in a long struggle for safety and democracy in her homeland. “We are relieved that change is happening, but there’s still uncertainty.

What Venezuelans want is for their country to be rebuilt, for democratic elections to be respected, and for life to return to a sense of normalcy,” she said.

Since moving to Ireland, Ms Meza Silva has dedicated herself to supporting education and inclusion. As Programme Manager for Maynooth University’s STEM Passport for Inclusion, she works to increase access to science, technology, engineering, and maths for females from underserved communities, including school-aged girls, youth in community centres, and lone parents.

“Participants gain a Level 6 qualification in 21st Century STEM skills, alongside mentoring and work experience placements,” she said. “It’s a national programme that’s all about creating opportunities and reducing barriers.”

Her own experiences of overcoming adversity inform her work.

“Having lived through what we did in Venezuela, you understand the importance of opportunity, education, and stability. That perspective is invaluable when supporting these young women,” she said.