Venezuelan influencer Ary Tenorio defended equipment donations she and Luisito Comunica provided to earthquake victims in Venezuela following a wave of online criticism [1].
The incident highlights the growing tension between the public expectations of high-profile social media figures and the actual responsibilities of state governments during humanitarian crises [2].
Tenorio addressed the backlash in a video posted on June 28, 2024 [3]. The influencer and her partner, Luisito Comunica, provided equipment to aid regions affected by recent earthquakes in Venezuela [1]. Despite the contribution, Tenorio faced what has been described as a digital lynching, with critics arguing that the amount of aid was insufficient given the couple's wealth [2].
In her response, Tenorio said that the public often holds influencers to higher standards than they do the government [2]. She said that while private individuals contribute what they can, the primary responsibility for disaster relief, and infrastructure recovery, lies with official state institutions [2].
The controversy surfaced as part of a larger conversation regarding the role of digital creators in philanthropy. Tenorio said she felt the criticism was unfair, suggesting that the focus should remain on the systemic failures of the government rather than the voluntary contributions of private citizens [2].
Tenorio continues to maintain that her and Comunica's efforts were intended to provide immediate support to those in need within the earthquake-affected regions [1]. The response from the influencer comes as Venezuela continues to manage the aftermath of the seismic events [1].
“Influencers are being held to higher standards than governments.”
This conflict underscores a shifting social contract where the visibility and wealth of influencers lead the public to view them as quasi-governmental entities during crises. By shifting the focus back to state responsibility, Tenorio is challenging the narrative that private philanthropy should substitute for failing public infrastructure or government disaster response.
