An immigrant from Venezuela, who made her home in Kelowna, says she will return to her country and bring elements of Canadian culture with her once Nicolas Madoura is no longer president.

Mariely Acevedo moved to Kelowna a year ago, and spent Saturday night making Arepas, a popular Venezuela dish as part of the annual Taste of Home event, which highlights different cultures in the Central Okanagan.

乌鸦传媒淚 came with my husband, I moved out of my country (because of the) political problems. I decided to go to South Korea to live for two years,乌鸦传媒� she said.

READ MORE: Freeland says Venezuela乌鸦传媒檚 Maduro is now a dictator after illegitimate win

She decided to start a life with her husband and upon researching warmer places in Canada, they settled on Kelowna.

乌鸦传媒淚 cannot live in Toronto, it乌鸦传媒檚 too cold,乌鸦传媒� she said.

Her family is still in Venezuela, including her two siblings.

乌鸦传媒淚 am here, but my heart and my mind are in Venezuela because today is a big day where we still protest乌鸦传媒� I believe we乌鸦传媒檒l be free soon,乌鸦传媒� she said.

Massive protests were held in Venezuela乌鸦传媒檚 capital last Saturday, opposing Madoura乌鸦传媒檚 rule.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 not with Madoura, my president is Juan Guaid贸 right now.乌鸦传媒� Guaid贸 was self-declared interim president in January and is supported by Canada.

Canada has condemned Venezuela乌鸦传媒檚 current president, as Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said his inauguration Jan. 10, calling the election 乌鸦传媒�.乌鸦传媒�

Canada has also imposed sanctions on officials in the regime.

Approximately 3 million people have fled the country since 2015, due to political and economic issues.

乌鸦传媒淚t is important because I like to share my culture with people and bring Venezuelan culture to Canada and I乌鸦传媒檓 so proud to be here,乌鸦传媒� she said, adding she appreciates Canada乌鸦传媒檚 cultural events, as it allows people to develop empathy for immigrants.

RELATED: Canada to host Venezuela summit to support anti-Maduro forces

乌鸦传媒淲e need that right now. We need this kind of humility in the world.乌鸦传媒�

Acevedo said she乌鸦传媒檚 been learning about Canada乌鸦传媒檚 education system, business planning and the lifestyle.

She wants to bring that education to Venezuela to help its children thrive and plans to go back once Madoura is no longer president.

Taste of Home has been held in Kelowna for the last 15 years, as part of Global Citizen Events.

乌鸦传媒淲hen immigrants come here they miss the smell and taste of home, so it乌鸦传媒檚 a way of celebrating those flavours and essence for people for those communities and it乌鸦传媒檚 also a way for people to learn a little bit about them,乌鸦传媒� said Dorothee Birker, communications and development coordinator with Kelowna Community Resources, which hosted the event Saturday night.

乌鸦传媒淲e have more immigrants coming all the time, our community is becoming more diverse and it乌鸦传媒檚 great to be able to celebrate the different cultures,乌鸦传媒� she said.

The event wrapped up Saturday night at the Main Street Centre.

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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