Verónica Gutiérrez was startled awake by a flood of WhatsApp messages from her family in Venezuela following the U.S. strike in Caracas that resulted in the apprehension of President Nicolás Maduro. The operation, which took place early Saturday, involved a significant military action in Caracas that led to the removal of Maduro and his wife from their residence at the Fort Tiuna military installation.
Having left Venezuela in 2015, Gutiérrez expressed a mix of hope and uncertainty upon hearing the news. She had long awaited Maduro’s exit from power and now contemplates what lies ahead for the country after his capture. Reflecting on the decades of dictatorship under Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, she questioned the implications of this turn of events involving President Trump.
After the initial emotional impact subsided, Gutiérrez’s concerns turned to her family. With her parents stuck in Venezuela while visiting her grandmother, they face uncertainty on their return journey to Nova Scotia. Traditionally, they travel from Canada to Colombia and then drive into Venezuela, but the recent strike has disrupted this route, making it challenging for them to fly out.
Another Venezuelan resident in Halifax, Ivon Valdebenito, expressed relief at Maduro’s removal from power, emphasizing the hardships endured in Venezuela under his rule. Valdebenito recalled the distressing living conditions marked by hyperinflation, soaring crime rates, and personal safety concerns, attributing these challenges to Maduro’s governance.
The dire circumstances in Venezuela have propelled millions to seek refuge abroad, with nearly eight million Venezuelans currently residing outside their homeland, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. In response to the situation, President Trump announced that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela until a proper transition could be established.
Valdebenito expressed optimism about potential positive outcomes from this intervention, anticipating collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Meanwhile, Gutiérrez remained cautiously optimistic, expressing reservations about the treatment of Latin American immigrants in the U.S. under the current administration.
In Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand issued a statement on social media, affirming Canada’s engagement with international partners to monitor developments closely. She stressed the importance of upholding international law and standing in solidarity with the people of Venezuela, reiterating Canada’s stance against the Maduro regime’s repression and human rights violations.
As the situation unfolds, both Gutiérrez and Valdebenito share hopes for a future where freedom of expression and democratic values prevail in Venezuela, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by Venezuelans at home and abroad.
