COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - As international attention remains focused on Venezuela, some Coffee County families with close ties to the country say recent developments have sparked cautious hope, not because of politics, but because of what those changes could mean for communication, travel, and reconnecting with loved ones.

WALB has previously reported on how diplomatic relations and embassy closures have complicated travel, legal processes, and access to information for Venezuelans and their families living abroad. Families say those challenges are often felt most deeply on a personal level.

Sage Joiner, a Coffee County native, says his family has been directly affected. Joiner met his wife, who is Venezuelan, while working at Walt Disney World. Together, they have family members who still live in Venezuela.

Joiner says recent international headlines have prompted renewed conversations within his family about what could change in the future, particularly when it comes to travel and communication, something he says has been difficult for several years.

“For families like ours, it’s not about politics,” Joiner said. “It’s about being able to visit loved ones, to communicate, and to not feel so far away from people you care about.”

Joiner recently shared a public social media post expressing support for Venezuelans and reflecting on what increased access and stability could mean for families separated across borders. In the post, he emphasized perseverance, prayer, and the emotional toll long-term uncertainty has taken on Venezuelans both inside and outside the country.

At the same time, political leaders have weighed in on the broader implications of Venezuela’s leadership and its impact beyond the country’s borders.

In a public statement, U.S. Rep. James Burchett criticized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, linking his leadership to regional instability, drug trafficking, and humanitarian impacts that he says have reached communities in Georgia. Burchett said accountability for Venezuela’s leadership is necessary through lawful means and emphasized the need for justice and the rule of law.

Families in Coffee County say that while political discussions continue at the national and international levels, their focus remains on confirmed changes that could directly affect their ability to reconnect with loved ones.

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