Context of what I'm asking: A friend of mine is going through a rather complicated situation, she is a single mother, she lives in Venezuela, the father of her children left for the United States, at a time when there was the greatest boom of Venezuelans entering through the Mexican border thanks to the "humanitarian strike". Unfortunately, he is not the father he should be, when he was in Venezuela he did not take care of his children in the least. Food, education, clothing and health were all on my friend's account, he always used the excuse that he "did not have money", but he spent his time going to parties every weekend, he bought a motorcycle, etc., he spent shamelessly only on himself, meanwhile she has fought alone for her children (2). In addition to being neglectful with his children, he spent his time physically, emotionally and verbally attacking my friend. In text messages he wrote her with threats of insults. When he emigrated he "promised" that from now on he would take care of them financially, but since he's been in the United States for about 4 years, he hasn't sent a single dollar. He writes every 8 months to say "I miss my children, send me a photo" and then humiliates her by saying "You live in shit, I live in Miami," "You're a failure, you have nothing, I live in an apartment that costs $3,500 a month and a Mercedes," "Don't even think I'm going to send you money, I'll get along with my children when they grow up." ... and so on, an endless list of things more horrible than others. Even before he was planning to emigrate, she asked him to voluntarily grant her unilateral custody of the children, since in the end he is not fulfilling his role as a father. She has wanted to leave the country, but she can't take her children out since she doesn't have his authorization, much less unilateral exercise of custody. He is so bold that he denies his children the opportunity to leave the country just because he doesn't feel like it. She filed a lawsuit in Venezuela, but has yet to receive a response.

That's where my doubt arose: Can she sue him? Is there any way to achieve some justice? Since Venezuela and the United States severed diplomatic relations, there are no consulates open here. It's not fair that she has to live in fear because of the constant threats. He comes from a dangerous neighborhood and knows people who commit crimes, and with that, he threatens her. He says things like, "I know where you live," "I know where the children go to school," "You can't do anything to me, but I can to you."

I'm filled with so much anger when I see your messages. I can't imagine the stress, anxiety, and anguish you live with, on top of having to always smile for your children, take care of them, play with them, cook, take care of them, and do all the work alone.

Since I became a mother and my daughter started school, I realized that many, many women go through similar situations. I've seen it more than I should have in both Peru and Venezuela, so much so that it seems "normal" or "common." Mothers ask for help, they ask for justice for themselves and their children, and society and institutions turn their backs on them. I don't want to create a "feminazi" image, but it's the reality I see every day. If a woman reports abuse or claims that the father has abandoned his children, everyone immediately points the finger at her. It doesn't make the slightest sense. I would like to be able to help her, I would like to see her go out without fear, I would like to see her happy. I would like to see that man pay for the crimes he commits. My friend is incredible; I don't know how she manages it, I suppose because a mother's love can do anything, even if she herself is broken.