AUSTIN, Texas — Tensions are high in Venezuela after authorities announced President Nicolás Maduro as the winner of the country's presidential election.
Opposition leaders dispute the result, and Venezuelans took to the streets after vote tallies were not released.
The unrest is taking a toll on the millions of Venezuelans living outside the country, including Austin resident Elizabeth Gunz, a Venezuelan native who has lived in the U.S. for 20 years.
"They don't have any hesitation to kill people, to incarcerate people, to do tortures. And they have done it before," Gunz said.
Gunz is calling attention to the controversy, holding demonstrations in Austin.
"It's impossible to have a good life or just a regular life right now in Venezuela," Gunz said.
Amidst growing unrest, immigration attorney George Lobb said we will need to wait and see how it could affect the flow of migrants to the U.S.
"It'll be interesting to see what happens between now and January, whether the Biden administration increases its TPS, which is Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans. Right now, the cap is at 24,000," Lobb said. "I think we need to give it 30 days to see because, again, there's always unrest after elections."
It's unrest that hits hard for Central Texans like Gunz, who continues to harbor hope for home.
"It's better to go back and start over there and help to reconstruct Venezuela," Gunz said. "That is ... that will be my dream."
Venezuela's president has called for the country's high court to audit the election. Gunz said a rally is being at the Texas Capitol on Saturday to raise awareness for the country.