Verónica Gutiérrez was inundated with numerous WhatsApp messages from her Venezuelan family following a U.S. strike on the capital city that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The strike, described as a significant operation in Caracas, led to Maduro and his wife being taken from their residence within the Fort Tiuna military base. Gutiérrez, who departed Venezuela in 2015, expressed a mix of hope and uncertainty upon hearing the news. She had been anticipating Maduro’s removal from power and is now contemplating the future implications of this development.
Living under Maduro’s regime and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, for over two decades has left Gutiérrez questioning the legitimacy of the U.S. intervention. After the initial emotional impact subsided, her focus turned to her family’s predicament. Her parents, who were away visiting her grandmother, face uncertainty in returning to Nova Scotia. The usual route through Colombia to Venezuela now seems impractical due to the recent events, prompting concern about their travel arrangements.
Ivon Valdebenito, another Venezuelan resident in Halifax, expressed relief at Maduro’s ousting. Recalling the hardships endured in Venezuela, including hyperinflation and high crime rates, Valdebenito credited Maduro for the turmoil. She emphasized the challenges faced in Venezuela, which led her to flee the country in 2020 and relocate to Canada.
Following the strike, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela until a proper transition could occur. Valdebenito viewed this intervention positively, hoping it would pave the way for collaboration with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Meanwhile, Gutiérrez remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging concerns about the treatment of Latin Americans in the U.S. and the potential impact of mass deportations on the Venezuelan community.
In response to the situation, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand issued a statement urging all parties to respect international law and stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Canada’s stance against the Maduro regime, dating back to the closure of its embassy in Venezuela in 2019, reflects its commitment to supporting democracy and human rights in the region. The ongoing developments in Venezuela are being closely monitored by Canada, which continues to engage with international partners to address the evolving situation.