For more than a decade, Venezuela and its people have been continuously fighting for their liberation and rights. Not only has this affected every single life in the country, but also lives globally. Just in Broward County alone, millions of residents have family living in Venezuela and some who just want to visit their home country without having to worry about their safety. However, during the summer, Daniela Camacho, junior at Charter, took a chance and went to stand alongside her people and help fight for a change. To fight for a chance at freedom.
Camacho initially went to Caracas, Venezuela as she needed to head back to renew her citizenship. Alongside her mother, she went onto her home country’s soil with pride as she knew she would be surrounded by her culture and be provided with the opportunity to fight for history. Camacho comments, “My dad then came and picked me up from Caracas and we went to Margarita which is where I was born. He didn’t want to go, but I forced him. I forced him to go and vote.”
When confronted with the question of “Why?”, Camacho’s eyes immediately lit up with what seemed like courage and hope for Venezuela’s future. It was clear to Daniela Camacho that if there was a chance for her to be in Venezuela, she would do her best and put her all into fighting for the possibility of a chance of being able to return again. Most importantly, to be able to return with the idea that her and her family would be safe.
“It’s been 25 years of dictatorship and personally I’ve had enough. I know my family has had enough and I just want to be able to go back without being scared and I want my brothers and for all of us to be reunited.” With this, Camacho only has one goal. “I just want my country and my people to be free”
Once Camacho arrived on the island of Margarita, she stood by her word and went to fight alongside her people. In crowded streets with music blasting, men and women of all ages screaming for their rights, and Venezuelan flags flying in the air, Camacho knew that this was where she exactly needed to be. When reflecting on those moments, Camacho says, “It was very unifying and empowering to see the whole nation come and rally together to fight against the dictators.”
Although Camacho felt extremely proud to be a part of the history of her home country, there were moments of fear. As the protests get more intense and the protestors begin to tear down posters of Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela, the military began to arrive. It then turns what was a protest for liberation and peace into a violent and chaotic scene on the very streets of Margarita.
With tear gas flying in the air and the military making arrests left and right, it was significantly important for Camacho and the rest of the people of Venezuela to know when to take a step back. Camacho reflects, “It was dangerous so it was important to know your limits and when to leave and when to stay.”
However, Camacho didn’t let this stop her from continuing to fight for her family there in Venezuela and back home in Florida. Singing songs, chanting words of inspiration, and dancing on the streets, she felt right at home as she knew that her presence and support for the fight for freedom mattered significantly.
After fighting for the freedom of her country, Camacho and her father had to fight for their chance to come home. With complications regarding the border and flights back home, it was unclear if Camacho was going to make it back home in time for the first week of school. But, the Camacho family fought against all odds and arrived home, back in Pembroke Pines, just in time for school.
As Camacho begins her third year at Charter and adjusts back to life in the States, a new perspective has been added to her view on the life she lives. “Living there in Venezuela for the summer really made me appreciate everything because we need to be aware that not every country and everybody has the same rights that we have. I am just extremely grateful.”
With a different view on the life she lives and knowing that she gave her everything and more to her people and country, Daniela Camacho enters a new chapter in her life. A new chapter that continues to wish and fight for a chance to return to a liberated and free Venezuela, but also one where she remains grateful for all that is given to her in life. 
