Finding Humor in Hardship: Venezuelan Comedians Shed Light on Dictatorship

A generation of Venezuelans, having fled economic and political turmoil, are using humor to confront their realities.

Estefanía León is among a new wave of Venezuelan comedians using humor to tackle serious issues. In 2017, while living in Venezuela's economically devastated capital, Caracas, León faced the harsh reality of hyperinflation and food shortages as her father braved lines for dwindling supplies. On top of personal struggles, her job at El Chigüire Bipolar demanded she create satire amidst the chaos, even as political protests threatened her safety. With President Nicolás Maduro's crackdown on free speech, León wondered if her comedic critiques might result in imprisonment. Despite her fear, León recalls comedy as her means of critique, stating, "There’s no food, no money, there's dictatorship, and I’m scared," yet humor provided a way to cope with the oppression and express resilience.