Jorge Rodríguez Urges Venezuelan Diaspora to Return Amid Outrage Over Cynical Remarks

Jorge Rodríguez, a high-ranking official in the Venezuelan government, has called on Venezuelans living in the diaspora to overcome their resentment toward the administration and return to the country.

The appeal, reported on May 2, 2026, centered on a request for those who fled the country to forgive the government and reintegrate into Venezuelan society. Rodríguez specifically urged the diaspora to Supéralo, perdónanos y vente (Get over it, forgive us, and come), suggesting that a process of forgiveness is necessary for their return.

The comments have sparked significant backlash from Venezuelans abroad and political critics, who describe the invitation as cynical. Opponents argue that the call for forgiveness ignores the systemic causes that forced millions to leave their homes, including political persecution and economic collapse.

Barriers to Return

Reports indicate that the diaspora does not view the prospect of returning as a simple matter of personal forgiveness. Critics point to a combination of structural failures and human rights concerns that make the government’s request appear disconnected from the reality of those in exile.

According to reporting from Runrun.es, the primary obstacles preventing a mass return include a persistent humanitarian emergency, ongoing state repression, and the fact that much of the migration was forced rather than voluntary. For many, the decision to leave was a matter of survival rather than a political choice that could be resolved through a gesture of forgiveness.

The phrase used by Rodríguez has been characterized by some outlets as a reminder of the barbarie chavista (Chavista barbarity), with critics suggesting that the administration is attempting to minimize the severity of the crisis that triggered the exodus.

Escalation and Rhetoric

While calling for reconciliation on one hand, Rodríguez has simultaneously employed derogatory language toward those in the diaspora who criticize the government. In a separate development, Rodríguez targeted Venezuelans abroad who have launched attacks against Delcy Rodríguez, the Vice President of Venezuela.

In a video report cited by La Patilla, Jorge Rodríguez referred to these critics as monos de clóset (closet monkeys). This rhetoric suggests a sharp divide between the government’s public invitations for the diaspora to return and its treatment of those who remain politically active or critical of the administration from abroad.

The tension highlights the complex relationship between the Maduro administration and the millions of citizens living in the Americas, Europe, and elsewhere. The government’s strategy appears to fluctuate between offering a path for reintegration and attacking the legitimacy of the exiled population.

Political Context

The call for the diaspora to overcome their feelings comes at a time when the Venezuelan government continues to face international scrutiny over its domestic policies and the treatment of political dissidents. By framing the migration crisis as a matter of resentimiento (resentment), the administration shifts the focus from state policy to the emotional state of the migrants.

For the diaspora, the request for forgiveness is viewed not as a genuine olive branch, but as a political tool. The lack of concrete guarantees regarding safety, legal amnesty, and economic stability continues to outweigh the government’s verbal invitations.

The divide remains stark: while the government presents the return as a matter of emotional healing and national unity, the diaspora maintains that return is impossible without fundamental changes to the country’s political and humanitarian landscape.