ORLANDO, Fla. — For members of Casa de Venezuela in Orlando, Saturday was a day of celebration.
What You Need To Know
The United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during an early morning attack Saturday
President Donald Trump said the U.S. is now evaluating next steps for Venezuela
People in the Venezuelan community are celebrating his capture, but some are concerned for the country’s future
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by the U.S. military, marking a historic moment some say they will never forget. Venezuela-born Fabiola Gomez says she couldn’t sleep when the news broke.
“We’ve been hoping for this day for years. We’ve been waiting for something to happen for years,” she said.
Gomez says she has lived in Orlando for 33 years, but she still has family back in Venezuela.
“They’re happy, they’re quiet, they’re scared. They don’t know what to make of it. They don’t know what to say. They are scared still, checking their cell phones. There’s people, hardly anybody on the streets. They’re very cautious about celebrating and waiting the next hours and days,” said Gomez.
As for herself, Gomez says she has mixed feelings of happiness and uncertainty for what’s to come.
“I know it’s hard to understand for certain parts of the American community, but 9 million Venezuelans are outside Venezuela, and it wasn’t because they’re on vacation. I mean, they had to leave,” said Gomez.
The group held a press conference near the Simón Bolívar statue, a man who helped liberate Venezuela, in Lake Eola Park. One by one, they shared their thoughts — hearts heavy, but ready for a fresh future.
“We are hoping that this new beginning allows us to have that transition that we deserve, that we fought so hard to get,” said Nelson Martinez.
President Donald Trump confirmed Maduro’s capture after a U.S. strike on the capital city of Caracas. Despite the destruction, William Diaz with Casa de Venezuela says he is grateful for America’s actions.
“We need to see this as an entire and whole political situation that gave freedom back to Venezuela,” said Diaz.
Trump said the U.S. is now evaluating next steps for Venezuela, but Diaz is hopeful for a new era for his country. Diaz tells Spectrum News there will be a rally at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Orlando on Sunday.
“God bless United States,” said Diaz. “God bless the new Venezuela that starts today.”