Venezuelan migrants worldwide celebrated enthusiastically on Saturday after President Nicolas Maduro was captured in a U.S.-led operation. The joyous chants of Venezuelans in Chile’s capital reflected their relief and happiness over the downfall of the dictatorship.
Khaty Yanez, a Venezuelan resident in Chile for seven years, expressed her elation, stating, “We are free. We are all happy that the dictatorship has fallen and that we have a free country.” Her compatriot Jose Gregorio shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the significance of this moment as a day of freedom after years of struggle.
According to the U.N. International Organization for Migration, approximately 7.7 million Venezuelans, constituting 20% of the population, have left the country since 2014 due to economic hardships and the pursuit of better opportunities abroad. Colombia and Peru have been the primary recipients of this diaspora, with 2.8 million and 1.7 million Venezuelan migrants, respectively.
In Lima, Peru, Venezuelans gathered, draped in their national flag, to mark the capture of Maduro. Peruvian President Jose Jeri pledged to facilitate the return of Venezuelans to their homeland, irrespective of their immigration status.
While the U.S. has historically been a refuge for Venezuelans, many were compelled to seek shelter elsewhere during former President Donald Trump’s tenure. In Spain, thousands congregated in Madrid to watch Trump’s press conference live, while Venezuelans in Argentina’s Buenos Aires were also expected to gather for celebrations.
The initial jubilation was tempered by concerns about Venezuela’s future among Venezuelans abroad. Andres Losada, residing in Spain, expressed a mix of anxiety and joy, reflecting the complex emotions surrounding the situation in Venezuela.
Venezuelan security forces patrolled the streets of Caracas on Saturday, with residents monitoring developments closely. Agustin Rodriguez, vice president of a Venezuelan cultural association in Spain, acknowledged the necessity of the strikes as a potential path towards a brighter future for Venezuela.