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.

害羞草研究所淚 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,害羞草研究所� she said.

READ MORE: Freeland says Venezuela害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淚 cannot live in Toronto, it害羞草研究所檚 too cold,害羞草研究所� she said.

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

害羞草研究所淚 am here, but my heart and my mind are in Venezuela because today is a big day where we still protest害羞草研究所� I believe we害羞草研究所檒l be free soon,害羞草研究所� she said.

Massive protests were held in Venezuela害羞草研究所檚 capital last Saturday, opposing Madoura害羞草研究所檚 rule.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 not with Madoura, my president is Juan Guaid贸 right now.害羞草研究所� Guaid贸 was self-declared interim president in January and is supported by Canada.

Canada has condemned Venezuela害羞草研究所檚 current president, as Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said his inauguration Jan. 10, calling the election 害羞草研究所�.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淚t is important because I like to share my culture with people and bring Venezuelan culture to Canada and I害羞草研究所檓 so proud to be here,害羞草研究所� she said, adding she appreciates Canada害羞草研究所檚 cultural events, as it allows people to develop empathy for immigrants.

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

害羞草研究所淲e need that right now. We need this kind of humility in the world.害羞草研究所�

Acevedo said she害羞草研究所檚 been learning about Canada害羞草研究所檚 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.

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

害羞草研究所淲e have more immigrants coming all the time, our community is becoming more diverse and it害羞草研究所檚 great to be able to celebrate the different cultures,害羞草研究所� she said.

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

carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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