>> this episodes of "united shades of america" from late 2019, months before the pandemic with the country and also months before george floyd was killed by minneapolis police. and the wave of protest that's followed. at the time i was welcomed into people's homes. i was able to have the kind of intimate conversation that's have become impossible during the pandemic. you see handshakes, high fives and hugs. now i'm grateful to have had that opportunity. i look forward to being able to do it again some day. i hope you enjoy this episode. >> look, i know a little bit about a lot of things. i'm at noig guy with wikipedia stuff in conversations. the there is stuff that wikipedia is like, no, read a book, talk to the people you know and keep your mouth shut. >> explain all of it to me. >> i'll try. >> for me, ven ez yale is one of

those issues. this week i'm in and around miami talking to venezuelans and venezuelan-americans about everything going on in venezuela. i'm also learning thou hit a 90 mile per hour fastball. when i told my producers i wanted to do an episode about venezuelan, they said great weeshgs going to miami. i said isn't it jaust cubans? they said, no, it's a hub for all latin americans.

>> a lot of dominicans, colombian. >> what is your racial ethnic background? >> i'm mixed white, i guess. bunch of different whites. >> the biggest population of venezuelans and venezuelan americans in the united states is right outside miami in the suburb of dural. yep, that doral. between 2000 and 2017, the v venezuelan population grew 320%. >> the reason? >> violent clashes in venezuelan. >> the political crisis in their country. look, i read articles, i watched news clips, gone to the democracy now binder and i haven't been able to figure out how it got this bad. he says he's the president. but he's got all the hallmarks of a dictator. one, he got game, two, using that to control the military, three, not taking care of his

people. and that's clear when you come here. doral, florida. the number of venezuelan seek ago sigh lum efrz day while our government's grant ago sigh lum shrinks every day. for families that are newly arrived, they're crushed by international chess thump disguised as politics and trying to figure out how to start their lives all over again. >> hello. >> hi. how are you? >> are these for you? >> etiquette tip. you show up to a home the first time, bring gifts. >> thank you. >> they were successful professionals in their hometown, a beautiful neighborhood in the capital of ka rack as. they decided to leave it all behind seeking a better life for their two daughters.

when did you all get here? >> this year. >> how has it been? how has the adjustment been? >> we were almost run ago way from ven ezuela. we were nervous what we were going to find here. >> and what did you do in ven s venezuela like? >> medical scientist. i had my own lab. 80 people worked for me. >> it was tough. >> but that was five months ago. >> yes. that was a long time ago. >> that is way back five months ago. >> what jobs have you had since you've been here? >> here, wow. when i come here, my first job was, like, dishwasher. and that was tough. >> it's got to be humbling to go from being a top of your profession as a medical scientists to washing dishes. the. >> yeah. >> i'm really thankful for

people that gave me the job. >> can you tell me what life was like there and why you really felt you had to go? >> i was really concerned about my girls, about our safety over there. >> i heard people, like, some people stealing water. >> stealing water. everything. they steal everything. light bulbs. sometimes from our house. >> steal them from your house? >> yes, the garbage can. this he stole that. yes. they could take water out of the river and storage in the homes. people steal everything. they see they can steal. >> and i know that the money has really been devalued, right? >> oh, my god. >> 10,000. >> right now that is worth a quarter. >> when your country's money has

thousands on it and regular people are holding a 10,000 note that, is never a good sign. so this is -- force zblors this is origami. . . they use this as a napkin. >> it's worth more as a napkin than currency. do you have hope for visions of going back and things get better? >> no. >> definitely not. >> back in the 1970 aeshgs venezuela was the richest country in latin america. with the world's largest oil reserves and a stable democratically elected government, the people of venezuela enjoyed the highest standards of living and the most beautiful countries in the world.

>> as far as i can wleb i was little, my parents were always listening to radio and reading the newspaper. >> she is the co-host of a spanish language political affairs show that focuses on the latin american community here and abroad. the. >> i've been here for 30 years. i've seen the growth. before i used to drive half an hour to 45 minutes to buy venezuela food. where now here in doral, you have a restaurant every five minutes. >> that's funny to me. walking around in this area,

because i hear so much spanish, it is the only time in my life that i feel like a white person. >> wow. >> i don't know what all these people are saying. >> everybody is nice. aer everybody's been nice. >> yeah. >> okay. that's good. >> all right. talk about the role of radio and what's going on. >> venezuela has no free press. so with the phones, they're able to listen be informed. in venezuela, there is no information. >> i know a secret about you. >> you know a secret about me? >> what's that? >> yeah. i no he that in 2012 you voted for a man named barack obama. >> yes, i did. they told you. >> and in 2016, you voted for a man named donald john trump. >> yes, i did. i didn't tell anybody that.

>> the only administration has really done something in the last 20 years against the dictatorship is donald j. trump. whether you like him or not, i do like the way this administration has worked against the dictatorship. i'm always going to be very grateful for it. >> to so what has trump done? he expanded sanctions started by president obama and president bush before him. remember presidents imposing bans on certain individuals and stopping all business with v venezuela state oil company. the goal, pressure the president to step down. besides the sanctions and photo ops, trump does a lot of talking. >> all options are on the table. zblfr strong ones and less than strong ones. and you know what i mean by strong. >> i have no idea what you mean. i'm begt you don't either. as we all know, talking tough

and doing something are different. sanctions against the rich and powerful in venezuela do not trickle down to help the people fighting for basic needs. it never works out that way. despite all the sanctions, he is still in power. and most of what the trump administration is doing asylum and refugees in this country is directly hurting the people of venezuela. if somebody comes across the boarder claim ago sigh lum because of what is going on in their land, certainly that's where going to happen. >> it's happening a lot. >> i feel like america was set up as a place that's like, you know, give me your star. >> do you believe that everybody should come here? >> come here? >> free to come in? >> to america? >> like, with no papers? >> certainly this feels like venezuelan americans are americans. these are the people. if there is something we can do, we should help. >> definitely. the we are the land of the free. it has to be with certain rules

and regulations. like everything in life. >> if i give you the magic wand to fix ven ez wallezuela, what o with that wand and how do you fix it? >> that's a tough one. >> i only ask tough questions. the. >> you do. >> i'm very charming. i have a cute smile. >> it is charming. >> but what do you do? >> what would i do? first of all, i would change the government. i would step on top of the organization if needed. like a very direct military intervention. >> you think military intervention? you would recommend america sends troops? >> no boots on the ground. bhut you're dealing with a dictatorship, you have to become three times worse than them. because they have all the power. they are not good people. we need new blood in venezuela. (vo) with t-mobile for business,

your business has an easy choice. the largest 5g network... award-winning customer satisfaction... insanely great value. choose. any. three. ready when you are. proof i can fight moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. proof i can fight psoriatic arthritis... ...with humira. proof of less joint pain... ...and clearer skin in psa. humira targets and blocks a source of inflammation that contributes to joint pain and irreversible damage. humira can lower your ability to fight infections. serious and sometimes fatal infections, including tuberculosis, and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened, as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. tell your doctor if you've been to areas where certain fungal infections are common and if you've had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flu-like symptoms or sores. don't start humira if you have an infection.

humira is proven to help stop further joint damage. want more proof? ask your rheumatologist about humira citrate-free. if you can't afford your medicine, abbvie may be able to help.

it's really hard for my grandma. it's hard to find stuff. you can see there is toothpaste and stuff like shampoo over here. we came here about eight years ago. and things were noes at bad which wh i came. but i kent imagine what they're like now. okay. st. >> the issue is very intricate and complicated. and the issue is that there is a

true humanitarian crisis happening right now. >> this woman is a venezuelan-american journalist and political strategist that came here for college in 1999 and never left. she is often torn between her desire for reform back home and her political affiliation here in the states. much less important, this is the first time i had a coffee. >> it began as a socialist regime. but it's years and years of using venezuelan resources to punt their own pockets. their multibillionaires. it's important to remember that. all of the oil in venezuela belongs to the government. it was nationalized many years ago. so all of that oil goes right into the government's pocket. they don't have alcohol to clean thur wounds. i mean it's that basic.

why is that even important to me? there is a massive refugee crisis. they're about to be more refugees than the syrian crisis have produced which is incredible. and they're going all over their region. >> so how did they end up here? let's start with hugo chavez, a member of the united socialist party. he was the president throughout the 2000. there is better access to health care, education and food. but chavez also borrowed money against oil revenues which fluctuated wildly and like a bad credit card, debt piled up. after he was diagnosed with cancer, chavez encouraged people to vote for his then vpmodoro which people did handing maduro a slim victory in the 2013 election. once in power maduro was more interested in tightening the grip on the military than the welfare of the people that voted for him.

sound familiar? seems like there was a point at which socialist policies were working in ven ez what ilya. the but then it got tied up in standard run of the mill government governmental corruption. >> this thugs in power. >> throughout his first term, falling oil revenues and complete breakdown of basic services left an ever larger number of venezuelans destitute. in 2018, maduro claimed victory in an election seen as fraudulent and labelled a dictator by rivals because dictator. and which point a legislator named juan claimed he was the president. and he has no power, no money, and no military. so president? if you even try to look at this through a u.s. lens of the left and right, good luck. because in venezuela, maduro is politically on the left and

trump is on the right. but who do you think trump has more in common with? >> i mean this is how politics works in this country, as you know. whose team am i on? >> and that is a problem that ven he wi venezuelans have. the we're divided by venezuelan and american parties. >> you have four different vibes. >> or more. here when trump came out and said the famous all options are on the table. it became very, very unpopular to, you know, speak against trump. and so when i speak publicly about democrats, they look at me like i feel the same way. i can't say it out loud. because it's just not cool right now. and now we're all divide wld you support one way or another or don't support him. do you feel he's done enough or not enough? and so everyone we're all just kind of apart. it makes it very, very difficult to get thing anything done. >> no matter where they fall on

the political spectrum, the one place they can all hang out together is serving up authentic cuisine and news from back home. >> when something happen that is important, we came to there. i think it is hard for them. >> embassy. >> embassy. right. >> i got you. jose is a former venezuelan military officer who came to the u.s. fleeing political persecution. he spent two years in detention centers across america before grant add sigh l granted asylum. >> he is very conservative and i'm very liberal. >> yeah. >> and you wore the white shirt and you the black shirt. >> yes. >> you find some people here that they believe that they don't have trump and i love venezuela. for me, nothing. >> that is not true. >> that is true. >> why?

>> you speak against everything. >> okay. >> you want another? >> maybe. maybe. >> maybe. >> me, no. i don't want 60 years. >> i don't think. so you tell the truth. >> 60 years? oh, no. oh, my god. no way, jose. >> no way, jose. that was heard correctly. >> watch them. you are friends? >> yeah. >> oh, my gosh. >> all right. all right. >> clearly. >> in 2008, jose found aid politically persecuted venezuelans in exile and they meet here. they help them stay informed and connected on immigration and asylum issues.

>> in the united states, we need to help. >> and your organization helps democrats and republicans? >> whatever helps our community. that is the most important. >> what do you think about immigration now. >> they're already talking about it. >> we know it is much like america. people come in all shades. and dark skin, brown eyeden with ez wailian. is it in america? >> yeah. you think so too.

these days, choosing the right medicare plan matters more than ever. unitedhealthcare medicare advantage plans have so much to take advantage of. see a doctor from the comfort and safety of home with zero copay. call today to get more of the care you need.

so are we. prudential helps 1 in 7 americans with their financial needs. that's over 25 million people. with over 90 years of investment experience, our thousands of financial professionals can help with secure video chat or on the phone. we make it easy for you with online tools, e-signatures, and no-medical-exam life insurance. plan for better days. go to prudential.com or talk to an advisor.

plan for better days. simon pagenaud takes the lead at the indy 500! coming to the green flag, racing at daytona. they're off... in the kentucky derby. rory mcllroy is a two time champion at east lake. he scores! stanley cup champions! touchdown! only mahomes. the big events are back and xfinity is your home for the return of live sports.

for many newly arrived vez enwailians, the most pressing need is finding a place to live and a job. one sector that is always hiring, even if if the pay is low, is the gig economy,

construction, manual labor and ride sharing services like uber. >> hello. >> picking up walter. much that is my uber name. >> yeah. i think i got the right penitentiary. i saw the picture. >> this man arrived here from venezuela 14 years ago with his wife. he's within fighting for temporary protective status and citizenship. he continues to fight his case. >> how long you been driving? >> for uber about four years. >> and what did you do for work in venezuela. >> i was a lawyer there. here i've been batting my case of asylum. but i mean last year they got me detained. >> you were in detention? >> yes, sir. for a month. >> what was that like? >> it was -- it was bad. i mean, it was really kind of experience i never been in a jail in my life before. it changed my life. i mean, i was there christmas and new year. . i mean, that was really, really bad. you know, mentally, they destroy

you there. i never want to go there again. >> wow. so why did they deny the asylum? >> the representation that i got it was so bad that government didn't believe my case. >> so you had a bad lawyer. >> basically, yes. >> that has to be frustrating when you're a lawyer to have a bad lawyer. >> well, yeah. >> the united states made its name on being the country that people from oppressed nations can turn to for refuge. we even put a sign on our front door. but recently our government decided that those are just words on a rusty statue. and the opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees in this country are drying up. now the sign should just read, we reserve the right to refuse service. with the collapsed economy and worsening shortage of food and medicine, more than four million ven ez wallians left their country. venezuelan asylum applications increased 1,257% between 2014

and 2018. half were denied. >> our immigration system in this country, the whole system is broken. and it needs to be fixed. in my situation, for example, 14 years in the country, i don't have any criminal records. i have two kids. american kids. >> your kids are american citizens? >> yes, sir. >> they were born here? >> yeah. i feel american. >> how are they dealing with the fact that you have to -- >> i tell you, my wife has the kids. and first time in the whole time she had to explain to them. you know, we're facing the possibility to, you know, leave the country. and after she explained to my son, he was 13 years old, you know what's going on, he said, mom, if you take me to another country, i'm an american citizen. how am am i going to become an immigrant there, right, and how can you guarantee that what happened to you now here is not going to happen to me over there? that break my heart.

>> yeah. >> but i'm still fighting. i'm hoping that my case will be approved soon. >> right there. >> for me growing up in venezuela, baseball is everything that i knew of. >> at what point did you say i think i can make the major leagues? >> when i was 14, 15 years old. scouts came to my family. your boy might be able to be a professional baseball player. >> baseball is way more venezuela's pastime than ours. baseball provided a path out for some like miguel rojas. . >> what position do you play? signed by cincinnati, he found his way to the miami marlins before ven ezal you have to be better than being in cincinnati. >> when you were a kid in

baseball, was the goal always the major leagues? >> absolutely. my family was hard on me on going to school and being in a good human being before being a baseball player. you know? >> so what's it like to be traded to the venezuela capital of america? >> for me to live in miami, i feel like i found a second home. >> do you get back to venezuela? >> i do. my mom is there. my sister, my dad. >> what is life like for your family there? >> well, my family there is in good shape just because i feel guilty talking about this, this kind of stuff. >> i understand. >> i'm helping my family so much. >> i got you. >> and other families, they don't -- they probably don't have the help that i provide to my family. and i can only imagine how bad for them it is. you see how fortunate we are that we're here and we're free. st. >> you are hoping if about venezuela sf venezuela? >> you think it will get better? >> you can never lose hope. one of my dreams is to my son, to be able to play in the major

leagues. so the only way for that to happen is that the situation to get better. >> i appreciate you speaking out. >> any time. >> you should try. i brought my bat. can you use it. >> oh, wow. my sport when i was a kid was books. >> let's see what you have. let's go ♪ >> what? >> come on, man. you got to give me a better effort, man. oh, my god. wow. okay. . >> i can't even -- am i close? >> i don't think so. not even close. st yup! and that's faster? faster, yea! but is it reliable? ah huh and secure!

you should consider making a big deal about it! bigger? i said bigger! oh, big-bigger deal bigger than what i'm doing? it's not complicated. a 5g network needs a 5g device. now everyone including existing customers can get a free samsung galaxy note20 after trade-in. means i'm responsible to every single one of my team members and all my patients. we went above and beyond regulations because i wanted to make sure that the community is taken care of. we owe it to them to be careful stewards of their health. so trust your people and take care of your teams and you will weather the storm. ♪

and we see you.ather the st♪rm. looking out...for all of us. and though you may have lost sight of your own well-being, aetna never did. we're always here to help you focus on your health. because it's always, time for care.

. though venezuelans are democratic leaning, here in doral, miami gop is getting to work. >> now my span sish not great, i do speak conversational republican. i have an idea i don't agree with much in this.

>> i think i've heard enough. >> breaking news. in every presidential election since 1996, the winner of florida has won the white house. and the venezuelan-american republicans club in doral is working hard to keep that streak going. founding members, a consultant, the president of the club and the miami gop and perez, the cuban venezuelan. >> how did the club get started? >> we support everything that is happening right now in our country. and the president we're supporting the cause. >> the only administration that has good things happening in venezuela right now is the trump administration. >> so what has the trump administration done that you think is helping venezuela?

>> he is like a basketball. >> basically, at the beginning of the trump administration and the focus on venezuela. >> legitimate. >> legitimate. and the power the trump administration said no. this is the constitutional precedent. >> okay. the. >> even though he said all the options reason options are on the table and can you read that. >> yeah. when a president says that. >> in different ways. >> sounds like troops. but that's not a idea. the options are sanctions. >> is it working? >> of course it's working. it's better than nothing. >> okay. >> is it a lot better than nothing? >> it's a lot better than

nothing. >> we have like two venezuelas. venezuela that you see people eating from the trash or families entire families. and the other part of the venezuela that are going to restaurants and they drink champagne. >> you know, there are sanctions on the people doing the misdeeds is one thing. but then to hear families eating out of the cratrash, it is help those people at all what trump is doing? >> probably not. >> they don't feel it. they don't feel the impact. those people, they worry about what to eat every single day. they're not thinking about the politics and the politicians, the sanctions. they have no idea. they just trying to survive. >> okay. this is the most republicans i've ever talked to in one episode. and that's fine. but i sure could use a cold press shot of berry juice to get

me right again and maybe some candles. st. >> trump is basically power hungry person that chavez was. it's the same thing. it's a different language. same thing with subtitle. >> even though they're speaking two different political languages, it's the same thing. >> it's the same thing. we're getting votes based on hate. >> maria is an artist and practicing and born and raised in venezuela. she recently arrived in miami where she's come to find a community she count find in her hometown. this say space open in 2015 to support and celebrate brown and black miami residents. >> the black house one is of my favorite places in miami. they shoest vendors. it's the first black and brown marketplace. >> you say black market, you don't mean illegal.

>> i mean black marketplace. for us. >> yeah. >> so talk about the experience? >> so when chavez goes into power, his entire thing was giving power to the minorities. but basing that power on hate speech. instead of this idea of talking down on minorities, you have been talking down on the minority of venezuelans who are white. who are blue eyed and who are blonde and european dissent. you're creating this division where if you're black, brown, or indij necessary, you're a chavez supporter. that's the only person that stands with you. >> you feel the mike is coming your way. >> exactly. but it you're not, you feel like it is taken away. >> we've had movements like that in this country. i go on youtube and listen to speeches. i know this is not all good. but there is something about it.

i like the tone of his voice. there is a way that motivates people who are out of power. minorities, to feel like we have to kick the door down. we can't just ask for permission anymore. >> exactly. >> but it can certainly take an ugly turn. >> how do you identify yourself? >> i see myself as an afro latina, mostly because there is african heritage in my family. but i have members of my family that don't consider themselves afro latino but they're black. >> yeah. >> they are dark skinned. >> like i was like i don't see myself as black. >> yeah. the. >> and i run into the black people. not good. >> yeah. and it's mostly because black indigenous and brown is tied to chavez and the government and all those things we don't like. >> yeah. funny, my wife is white. i have three mixed race

daughters. black, that's how it works in america. but my middle daughter is about the same shade as you. and we had to really like me and my waive had to explain to her, yes, you're light. but you're black. and if i let you go out in the world not knowing that you're black, that can actually put you in danger. >> yep. >> so it's important to understand this stuff is bigger than shade of skin. >> it's no longer about black people versus white people. or, like, poor people versus rich people. it's more about the people are still hungry. the kids are still dying of sicknesses. and my mom still doesn't have running water certain days of the year.

these days, choosing the right medicare plan matters more than ever. unitedhealthcare medicare advantage plans have so much to take advantage of. see a doctor from the comfort and safety of home with zero copay. call today to get more of the care you need.

here's a choice you don't have to make.ses are always making choices. the largest 5g network... award-winning customer satisfaction... or insanely great value. now, with t-mobile for business, there's no compromise. network. support. value.

choose. any. three. t-mobile for business ready when you are.

when you see a person in need, you have two options, if you want to see to the other side or you decide to do something. and i decide to do something. when you have do what you're doing a better life, a better beginning in this country. i'm not just saying that. thcht is literally what that guy jesus is talking about. note books. computers. >> wow. >> within an army of volunteers she runs a nonprofit that takes donations and gives them out to free for newly arrived venezuelans. it is like mainy mall with ten separate storage units, each their own department store.

she has things that they need, but also thicngs that make the transition easier. >> i have my eye on this right here. >> this makes better. this is for kids. >> this is christmas in here. >> that's why our mission is to help families to get quality of life. >> how long you been doing this? >> almost four years. >> how do you afford it? how do you afford to do this? >> i pray. >> you pray? >> this is the christmas locker. >> yeah. we just opened. the first christmas in the united states, it really sucks to have to push the family they have to celebrate. >> i never thought about that, that you have to push people to celebrate. >> yeah. they don't want to leave.

it's a life or death decision. >> you have to try to find the decor ration for the christmas and for the house. >> we got stuff in here. i've been working. >> and that's very important, uh-huh. >> how long have you been in america? >> how important is it to decorate for christmas seeing that you are away from home?

>> do you like being here in america? >> well, yeah. because i asked you a question and you understood what i said, so your english is good. see, you even understand me now. what do you miss about venezuela? >> you're going to start making new friends. i'm sure of that. >> you're a very strong young man. i don't know. when i asked that kid what he missed about venezuela, it's such a dumb question to ask. he's a kid.

of course he misses a lot. and then he broke down crying, and i was like -- i just feel bad. i didn't mean to do that to him. but nothing makes it as clear as how bad things are in venezuela as that. excited kid that wants to play baseball, misses his friends. that's it. "united shades of america," brought to you by voltaren, the joy of movement. -and always will be. never letting anything get in my way. not the doubts, distractions, or voice in my head. and certainly not arthritis.

new voltaren provides powerful arthritis pain relief to help me keep moving. and it can help you too. feel the joy of movement with voltaren. webut you can't lose sight of your own well-being especially if you have a serious chronic medical condition. at aetna, we're always here to help you focus on your health. because it's always time for care.

you can't claim that because it's inanimate! [ sigh ] people ask ... what sort of a person should become a celebrity accountant? and, i tell them, "nobody should." hey, buddy. what's the damage? [ on the phone ] i bought it! the waterfall? nope! my new volkswagen. a volkswagen?! i think we're having a breakthrough here. welcome to caesar's palace. thank you. ♪

there is this moment that i go and i dance and i just forget about everything. when i get to dance, it's just, you know, everything is gone. this is my time, myspace for me. that's it. >> how long have you been a dancer? >> since i was four and a half. so pretty much my whole life.

>> and ballet the whole time? >> yes. >> she fled venezuela three years ago with her family, leaving behind her friends and a dance studio that was like her second home to start a new life here as a high school sophomore. lucky for her miami is home to the arts ballet studio of flori florida. >> i feel that i'm home. >> both u.s. citizens offer scholarships to disadvantaged students in the community, many of them coming from venezuela. >> so when you came, did you come by yourself? >> no. i came with my mom and my brother. and three months later, my dad came. >> and everybody is here now? >> yes. >> and how has the school been? >> they're my second home. >> that's why we open our studios to all these kids that

come from venezuela asking for help or for a place to be free, feel safe. >> for me, i'm just forever blessed and thankful and grateful for the opportunity that they gave me. it's just -- look at me. >> she's really trying to make you cry. >> yes. i'm not. i'm not. sorry, i'm not. >> no, no, no. don't be sorry. so you are currently an asylum seeker? >> yes. it's been three years and we don't have any answers for now. >> is the american government doing enough to support venezuela? >> who wants to say something? >> this is the pause i get from everybody who venezuela. >> she was an excellent student. >> straight as. >> when they get to the college to the register, they tell them, well, you don't have a status. >> so because you are an asylum

seeker, you can't go to a -- >> she can go, but she has to pay like an international -- >> so you had a scholarship offer? >> yes. i had a 75% scholarship offer. >> so you went all the way to the college? >> yes. i was there. i was actually picking my classes that day. yeah. it was just insane. >> to be honest, i don't understand in this country why they are not giving opportunities to hard working people. to obviously talented people. >> i hate to ask this question. are you hopeful about this? >> i want to say yes, i am. i'm still waiting for the day that we get the call and we just go and everything is going to be fine. >> well, we've got the trust the system, you know. unfortunately, we have to trust the system. >> trust the system.

is there a system? it sure doesn't feel like there's one here or in venezuela. i'll let the people who know speak on it. >> every venezuelan here, everybody, has a friend or a family member who is undocumented. and so you are always living in fear they're going to get picked up. even though the trump administration they are saying we support the venezuelan people. we support venezuelan freedom, deportations are continuing. so the reality is that more venezuelans are being deported to this place where they could end up being dead just for thinking differently. >> it is really weird to think that the country i lived in, that i grew up in doesn't exist anymore. >> how can you miss something that doesn't exist anymore? >> wow. >> i understand probably why presidents sometimes they close

the doors from venezuela. but they should open their hearts and understand that we didn't go out of venezuela because we wanted to. the following is a cnn special report. could be one of the greatest coups of all time. they're spying on me. i'm fighting the deep state. >> this is a conspiracy against you, the american people, and we cannot let this happen. >> why does the president of the united states of america live in a world of dark, sinister conspiracies? >> he gravitates to conspiratorial understandings of the world. >> it makes sense if you look behind