RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Venezuelans across the Triangle shared reactions Saturday after the United States launched early morning strikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Some applauded the move while others worried about the precedent that is set by the actions of the Trump Administration.
Some Venezuelans gathered in Moore Square on Saturday night to celebrate the news.
Breiner Amesty said he was forced to flee Venezuela after speaking out against the regimes of Maduro and former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
“Today we find ourselves filled with happiness because we finally see a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “And I know that we’re going to reach that light because there’s nothing more important than freedom.”
President Donald Trump announced details of the mission Saturday, and signaled the U.S. will oversee Venezuela’s governmental operations for now.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” said Trump.
News of the action in Venezuela and Trump’s remarks sparked celebrations but also protests across the country, including in Raleigh and Durham.
Paola Davila left Venezuela with her family at 12 and says she still can’t believe the news.
“When I woke up, I was in shock. I think I’m still processing,” she said.
Davila spoke at the rally in Downtown Raleigh and expressed concern about who would oversee the country.
“I think it needs to go back to the people and make sure that we’re not exploiting, if it is about the resources, they should stay, and we keep our self-sovereignty,” she said.
Although she’s relieved Maduro is no longer in power, she said she worries about what the long-term U.S. involvement looks like.
“I think this is a moment where we get back to fighting for our country, what we want, what we want to see it become, and instead of letting it in the hands of the U.S.,” she said.
Amesty, however, said he believes U.S. support could help remove the rest of Maduro’s regime from power and legitimize their cause.
“We have a political coalition led by María Corina Machado, who is the leader of the opposition,” he said. “We consider her the political leader of Venezuela. And if we have Trump’s support for her, then we feel we have the legitimate foreign backing towards true liberty in Venezuela.”
Editor’s Note: Quotes shared by Amesty have been translated from Spanish.
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