Venezuelan social media platforms have become essential tools for connecting communities in the digital era. Viral digital tribute accounts unite Venezuelans at home and abroad, fostering a shared sense of identity and nostalgia.
“As social networks have developed over the last few years, the level of exposure of my work has been exponential,” says Victor López Donís, a Venezuelan visual artist, known for his stunning portraits of Venezuela’s nature and coastal landscapes.
“Venezuela’s geography is incredibly diverse and exuberant. Since birth, I have been connected to the sea and the Venezuelan coast. This has undoubtedly been my inspiration. As a surfer, my passion for photography has led me to explore and document its waves, beaches, towns, and people. My visual work is a reflection of that,” López Donís explains.
The Venezuelan artist, who was formally trained as a graphic designer, shares his work primarily on his Instagram account, @Viltorinox.
For over 15 years, he has documented the Venezuelan coast and its local communities. This extensive body of work has created an important cultural archive, preserving a illustrative record of Venezuela’s identity for future generations.
López Donís also manages initiatives like @VzlaSurf, a digital magazine he founded a decade ago alongside his close friend, Juan Santiago Monteverde: “We are both passionate about surfing and felt the need to document and showcase its culture. The surfing community can interact, share experiences, and preserve a documentary record of this unique aspect of Venezuelan culture. Everyone contributes their grain of sand.”
The Venezuelan diaspora and digital communities
The accessibility of digital content has made it easier to connect with Venezuelans abroad who deeply miss the unique essence of their homeland.
“Over time, I have realized how much Venezuelans long for their country, and my work serves as a small window for them. It has been incredibly rewarding to create a connection despite the distance. For those of us still in Venezuela, it provides an escape, even if only for a few minutes, from the challenges our country faces. I see my work as a continuous effort to document and share Venezuela’s magical landscapes through my lens,” López Donís admits.
Since 2014, more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have migrated due to economic hardship, political instability, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. This mass exodus has become one of the largest displacement crises globally, exceeding even the scale of the Syrian and Ukrainian refugee crises.
The role of social media in preserving cultural identity
Another prominent Venezuelan social media initiative is Venezuela Cerca, a community-run platform dedicated to showcasing landscapes, tourism, culture, and gastronomy. Managed by an anonymous collective, the account started in 2012 by sharing photos on Facebook. Now, they have a presence across all major social networks, with Instagram being their most prominent platform.
“Our interaction with those abroad is exactly the same as with those who still reside in Venezuela. The only difference is that they remember everything with a mix of nostalgia and joy. Our main challenge has been managing so many accounts. We share Venezuelan content across six platforms, making the process complex and time-consuming,” they explain.
The group is also expanding its digital presence: “We are about to launch our website, Venezuelacerca.com, which is our next big milestone.”
As a digital tribute to Venezuela, online accounts, like Venezuela Cerca, help form a vivid and enduring connection for an affected community, leaving a lasting impact through their expansive digital presence.