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U.S. Airstrikes Near Caracas Ignite Panic in Jewish Community

1/7/2026

36 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. airstrikes near Caracas on January 3, 2026 targeted Nicolás Maduro and sparked panic among residents, particularly in Jewish neighborhoods.
The Jewish community has shrunk from about 30,000 to around 4,000 and views the Maduro regime as hostile but hopes for change.
Rabbi Pynchas Brener notes that many Jews left due to political turmoil rather than antisemitism.

History

Historical Context

Venezuela's Jewish population, once around 30,000 in 2000, has plummeted to approximately 4,000 today due to political instability and rising antisemitism under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. Since 2013, emigration surged, with over 7.7 million Venezuelans fleeing the country by 2023, driven by economic collapse and violence, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting minority communities.

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Story summary

U.S. airstrikes near Caracas on January 3, 2026 targeted Nicolás Maduro and sparked panic among residents, particularly in Jewish neighborhoods.
The Jewish community has shrunk from about 30,000 to around 4,000 and views the Maduro regime as hostile but hopes for change.
Rabbi Pynchas Brener notes that many Jews left due to political turmoil rather than antisemitism.

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