14
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 2020 | DENVER CATHOLIC
J
uan Pablo Galviz lied wide awake on his
bed in the early hours of the morning,
listening to every sound on the nearby
street. He couldn't remember how many days
he'd gone without sleep since the day he
thought he and his family wouldn't escape the
hands of the colectivos – armed paramilitary
groups in support of socialist President Nicolás
Maduro – in Venezuela.
His pantry was empty, his body sore from the
day's work, and he begged God to deliver him
and his family.
"When I graduated as a journalist, I never
imagined I would have to live through some-
thing like this," Galviz recalled, "that Venezuela
would go through something like this."
Just a few months before reaching Florida in
search of asylum, Juan Pablo had received death
threats and visits from the colectivos to his own
house because of his work as a host of a popular
radio show, in which he highlighted the harsh
conditions and painful experiences of many
people caused by the failing economy or the
cruel treatment received from the government.
"In 2014, Venezuela began its 'Way of the
Cross.' Protests and street closings started
happening [fueled by the economic crisis and
Living in socialist Venezuela, Juan Pablo
Galviz was targeted and threatened by
the government. By the grace of God,
he and his family escaped to America.
"I was thinking,
' THEY'RE GOING
TO KILL US.'"
BY VLADIMIR MAURICIO-PEREZ
Managing Editor of El Pueblo Católico
Photo provided
CH R I STIAN IT Y AN D SOCIALI S M
