Verónica Gutiérrez woke up to a flood of WhatsApp messages from her family in Venezuela following a U.S. strike in the capital that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. In the early hours of Saturday, a significant operation was carried out in Caracas, leading to the removal of Maduro and his wife from their residence within the Fort Tiuna military compound.
Having left Venezuela in 2015, Gutiérrez expressed a blend of hope and uncertainty upon hearing the news. She had long anticipated Maduro’s ousting and now ponders the implications of this development for the country’s future. “We have endured this dictatorship for 26 years,” she remarked, alluding to both Maduro’s rule and that of his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, questioning the legitimacy of Trump’s involvement.
Following the initial emotional impact, Gutiérrez’s thoughts turned to her family’s predicament. Her parents, currently away visiting her grandmother, face uncertainty in returning to Nova Scotia. Typically, they travel from Canada to Colombia and then drive to Venezuela, a route now disrupted by the recent events.
Another Venezuelan resident in Halifax, Ivon Valdebenito, expressed relief at Maduro’s removal from power, describing it as a step towards justice for their country. Recalling the hardships endured in Venezuela, including hyperinflation and rampant crime, Valdebenito attributed these challenges to Maduro’s governance, emphasizing the difficult circumstances faced by citizens.
The unstable conditions in Venezuela have driven millions to seek refuge abroad, with nearly eight million Venezuelans currently residing outside their homeland, as reported by the United Nations Refugee Agency.
In response to the situation, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela until a proper transition could be established. Valdebenito welcomed this intervention, hoping it would pave the way for collaboration with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
While cautiously optimistic, Gutiérrez expressed concerns about Trump’s treatment of Latin American immigrants in the U.S., citing past deportations affecting the Venezuelan community. Despite these reservations, she remains hopeful for a future where freedom of expression and ideals are respected.
In Canada, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand issued a statement emphasizing Canada’s commitment to monitoring the situation closely and engaging with international partners. Calling for adherence to international law and support for the Venezuelan people, Anand reaffirmed Canada’s stance against the Maduro regime’s repression.
The recent developments in Venezuela have sparked global reactions, with many closely following the unfolding events and the potential implications for the country’s future.