National Politics Transcend Country Boundaries: A Theoretical Discussion of the Lack of Communication of the Venezuelan Government With the Country’s Diaspora in Miami

• In Event: Emerging Publics in Government Communications: Domestic Publics and Diaspora Communities

Abstract

Since 2009, more than 100,000 Venezuelans have immigrated to Miami in the United States of America. They are mostly considered “opposition” and traitors to the Venezuelan government, which has been in power for almost 15 years. In addition to national politics crossing geographical borders, Venezuela closed its Consulate in South Florida because of a diplomatic breakdown with the United States. Venezuelans in South Florida seem to be in a limbo and have become a diaspora seeking legitimacy and attention. The Venezuelan government has responded with either attacks or lack of communication with this growing diaspora that was forced to leave their country because of economics and political pressures. The transnational case will be analyzed with a theoretical eye. Ignoring or attacking your audience also communicates with a strategic purpose in mind. Propaganda devices are used in the attacks as an entity battles with an enemy who may be within or outside its national boundaries. This case and its analysis may offer an opposite perspective to the dialogical communication and relationship cultivation perspectives.

Author

• Juan-Carlos Molleda, U of Florida