I. Introduction: Faith Under Pressure
Venezuela’s ongoing political and economic collapse has left religious minorities facing increasing marginalisation and hardship. While the Catholic Church remains the dominant religious institution, smaller communities such as Protestants, Evangelicals, Jews, and Muslims struggle to survive in a climate of poverty, repression, and neglect. In a country where faith once provided refuge, religious minorities now face harassment, discrimination, and barriers to practicing their beliefs freely.

II. Historical Role of Religion in Venezuela
Religion has long played a central role in Venezuela’s society. The Catholic Church historically held significant influence, both socially and politically. However, with the rise of authoritarian rule under Chávez and Maduro, the government has sought to limit independent religious influence, particularly when it challenges state power. This climate has made life even harder for minority faiths lacking institutional protection.

III. Discrimination Against Minority Communities
Smaller religious communities frequently face discrimination in access to resources and services. Jewish and Muslim communities, for instance, encounter difficulties importing religious texts and food due to state restrictions. Meanwhile, Evangelical and Protestant groups often struggle with government harassment when organising gatherings outside state control.

IV. State Repression of Religious Voices
The Venezuelan state monitors religious organisations, particularly those critical of the government. Minority faith leaders risk harassment or expulsion if they speak out about human rights violations or humanitarian concerns. The government frames such criticism as foreign interference or political opposition.

V. Shortages of Religious Materials
Amid Venezuela’s economic collapse, shortages extend beyond food and medicine to religious materials. Bibles, Qur’ans, and other texts are scarce due to import restrictions, leaving communities without vital resources for worship. Religious institutions also
struggle to maintain places of worship amid power outages, inflation, and crumbling infrastructure.

VI. Social Marginalisation
Religious minorities often face social marginalisation, as dominant Catholic traditions overshadow their practices. This marginalisation deepens in times of crisis, when minority communities are excluded from aid distribution or stigmatised as outsiders.

VII. Humanitarian Crisis and Faith Communities
The broader humanitarian emergency has taken a severe toll on religious minorities. Churches, mosques, and synagogues often double as aid centres, yet they face the same shortages as the wider population. Religious leaders struggle to provide food, medicine, and spiritual support to their congregations.

VIII. Harassment of Converts
Converts from the dominant Catholic tradition to minority faiths often face suspicion and harassment. In some cases, they are accused of betraying national identity or aligning with foreign influences, exacerbating social tensions.

IX. Migration of Minority Faith Members
Faced with persecution, shortages, and lack of freedom, many members of minority faiths have joined the mass exodus from Venezuela. Communities abroad, particularly in the United States and Europe, provide them with greater opportunities to practice their faith openly and safely.

X. International Condemnation
Human rights organisations and international observers have criticised Venezuela’s treatment of religious minorities. Reports highlight harassment, discrimination, and government interference in religious affairs, calling on the state to respect freedom of belief.

XI. Resilience Amid Crisis
Despite the challenges, minority faith communities in Venezuela demonstrate resilience. They continue to gather, worship, and provide mutual support, even under immense hardship. Their perseverance underscores the importance of faith as a source of strength in times of crisis.

XII. Conclusion: Faith in Exile and Survival at Home
Religious minorities in Venezuela face systemic discrimination and repression, leaving them vulnerable amid the country’s wider crisis. For many, migration provides the only path to freedom of worship and survival, while those who remain endure harassment and shortages. Until Venezuela restores genuine protections for freedom of religion, its minority faiths will continue to struggle both at home and abroad.