Laureano Márquez: 'Venezuelans want to know if there will be political change'

In Madrid, Venezuelan humorists Laureano Márquez and Ricardo Del Búfalo transformed an intimate wine tasting space into a forum for discussing Venezuela and the aspirations of its diaspora. The event, held at Bar Alzacopas, blended live stand-up comedy with a conversational exploration of their homeland and the experiences of exile.

The performance served as both an emotional release and a platform for continued reflection on Venezuela, even from afar. The show was initially planned for the closing of the Madrid Book Fair on June 14 but was rescheduled after adverse weather led to the early closure of El Retiro park, the fair's venue. The humorists incorporated this cancellation into their act, joking about authorities closing the event due to a "little rain" compared to the "downpours" experienced in Caracas.

During their performance, Márquez and Del Búfalo revisited significant moments in Venezuelan political humor. They referenced "La Delpiniada" from 1885, a satirical event mocking then-President Antonio Guzmán Blanco's vanity, and "La Sacrada," a similar event under Juan Vicente Gómez's rule. While Guzmán Blanco reportedly remained unaware of the satire, Gómez reacted by closing the Central University of Venezuela and imprisoning students involved.

Speaking after the event, Márquez, who is also a political scientist, reflected on the role of humor in Venezuela's current historical context. He highlighted the stark difference between performing comedy inside and outside the country. "The humorist who is inside has been much more limited than the humorists who can perform outside," Márquez stated, explaining that individuals within Venezuela cannot laugh freely or address all topics due to the lack of safe spaces.

Márquez noted that censorship and political pressure have pushed humor into different territories, yet the need for satire persists. He observed that comedy within Venezuela has shifted towards less political themes, incorporating more everyday life issues, as direct political commentary becomes increasingly risky.

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El venezolano quiere saber si va a haber un cambio político o no.