The Expelled Jews of Coro


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In 1827, a group of Jews emigrated from the tiny island of Curacao to the nearby mainland port city of Coro, Venezuela. Twenty-eight years later, violent rioting drove the entire Jewish population--168 individuals--back to Curacao.

The hostility directed at Coro’s Jews was partly economic in nature. Venezuela’s banking system was in chaos, its government corrupt, and unemployment rampant. Xenophobia--resentment of foreigners--was running high.



Starting in the 1840s, the municipal government of Coro and the local military garrison asked the Jewish community for loans as advances against their taxes. These were made interest free, and at times were simply "voluntary" contributions as it became clear that the loans would not be repaid. Aizenberg notes, "With the passing of time these payments became not a financial resource which the government could tap in case of urgent need, but a regular source of funds which it came to expect as a matter of course."


The next day, a handbill circulated the city which asked, "Don’t we have businesses in this city that can help the Government by advancing funds for the garrison?" This question was followed by an extortionate threat: "Aren’t the businesses afraid to remain exposed to the dangers that such scandalous and unique circumstances may bring about?" A second and more direct handbill blamed the "distorted avarice" of the Jews for the "misery and helplessness" of the populace. It claimed that "many daughters of Coro, previously models of virtue," were being "prostituted by the Jews." It concluded by warning the Jews to leave Coro. Two nights later, a band of 30 armed men wandered through the streets, according to Aizenberg, "shooting at Jewish homes, tearing doors down and looting the shops" belonging to prominent Jewish merchants.

Like many at the time, Aizenberg believed that the military, wanting to intimidate the Jews into renewing their support, printed and distributed the leaflets, as well as supplied the manpower for the riots. Ironically, the strategy backfired. By February 10, the last of Coro’s Jews had fled the city on a ship sent by the government of Curacao to rescue its citizens. A pamphlet issued that day in Coro proclaimed, "With great joy in our hearts we see today our land is free of its oppressors . . . The Jews have been expelled by the people." With them, of course, went the funds for any loans.




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Michael Feldberg
