People around the world are reacting after the United States launched overnight military strikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro, according to U.S. officials.President Donald Trump addressed the nation Saturday afternoon, announcing what he described as an extraordinary military operation carried out in Venezuela’s capital. Trump said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody and would face justice in the United States.The developments sparked strong and divided reactions in Central Florida, home to the nation’s second-largest Venezuelan population after South Florida.At Casa de Venezuela, a local advocacy group, leaders and community members expressed optimism, saying they believe the fall of Maduro’s government could bring long-awaited change to their country.William J. Diaz, founder of Casa de Venezuela, said the moment should not be viewed through a partisan lens, but as a turning point for Venezuela as a whole. Other members said they hoped Americans would better understand the hardships Venezuelans have faced under Maduro’s rule for years.”I woke up thinking, ‘Is this a dream?’ We’ve all thought about it in the past, but is something happening?” said Jose Gamboa.”I had to pull over and park at a Target to see that moment when he was being walked off the plane.. It’s a historic moment.”Gamboa came to the United States in 2016 at the age of 19. He fled political persecution because of his work campaigning for the opposition.”This has been a dictatorship that has been brutal,” Gamboa said.He said he received death threats.Gamboa said he would later send for his mother to come to Orlando as well.”I have not seen my father in eight years,” Gamboa said. “There’s many families like mine that have been forcefully split up because of the situation, I hope they can come back together.””It’s something that a lot of Venezuelans who have been in this struggle and have suffered the injustices of the dictatorship, whether they agree with the logistics of how it happened or not, it’s something that a lot of us didn’t think we were going to see.”Not all reactions were positive.On Saturday afternoon, protesters marched along Colonial Drive in Orlando, criticizing the U.S. military action and questioning its legality. Some demonstrators said they opposed what they described as imperialism and regime change without congressional authorization, raising concerns about international law and the will of the Venezuelan people.Others in the Venezuelan community said they felt no sympathy for Maduro, blaming his government for widespread economic collapse, political repression and mass migration.As uncertainty continues about Venezuela’s future, many Venezuelans in Central Florida said they are hopeful the situation could lead to expanded Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans living in the United States.The situation in Venezuela remains fluid as the international community closely monitors developments.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
People around the world are reacting after the United States launched overnight military strikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro, according to U.S. officials.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation Saturday afternoon, announcing what he described as an extraordinary military operation carried out in Venezuela’s capital.
Trump said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody and would face justice in the United States.
The developments sparked strong and divided reactions in Central Florida, home to the nation’s second-largest Venezuelan population after South Florida.
At Casa de Venezuela, a local advocacy group, leaders and community members expressed optimism, saying they believe the fall of Maduro’s government could bring long-awaited change to their country.
William J. Diaz, founder of Casa de Venezuela, said the moment should not be viewed through a partisan lens, but as a turning point for Venezuela as a whole. Other members said they hoped Americans would better understand the hardships Venezuelans have faced under Maduro’s rule for years.
“I woke up thinking, ‘Is this a dream?’ We’ve all thought about it in the past, but is something happening?” said Jose Gamboa.
“I had to pull over and park at a Target to see that moment when he was being walked off the plane.. It’s a historic moment.”
Gamboa came to the United States in 2016 at the age of 19. He fled political persecution because of his work campaigning for the opposition.
“This has been a dictatorship that has been brutal,” Gamboa said.
He said he received death threats.
Gamboa said he would later send for his mother to come to Orlando as well.
“I have not seen my father in eight years,” Gamboa said. “There’s many families like mine that have been forcefully split up because of the situation, I hope they can come back together.”
“It’s something that a lot of Venezuelans who have been in this struggle and have suffered the injustices of the dictatorship, whether they agree with the logistics of how it happened or not, it’s something that a lot of us didn’t think we were going to see.”
Not all reactions were positive.
On Saturday afternoon, protesters marched along Colonial Drive in Orlando, criticizing the U.S. military action and questioning its legality.
Some demonstrators said they opposed what they described as imperialism and regime change without congressional authorization, raising concerns about international law and the will of the Venezuelan people.
Others in the Venezuelan community said they felt no sympathy for Maduro, blaming his government for widespread economic collapse, political repression and mass migration.
As uncertainty continues about Venezuela’s future, many Venezuelans in Central Florida said they are hopeful the situation could lead to expanded Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans living in the United States.
The situation in Venezuela remains fluid as the international community closely monitors developments.