Embattled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro‘s capture by the US has drawn praise, as well as condemnation, from several countries and lawmakers alike.
It has also brought into focus an interesting figure of exiled Venezuelans who had continued to flee their country in scores since 2016 due to Maduro’s regime.
An estimated eight million Venezuelans had reportedly left their homeland in the last ten years, several of whom, Republican lawmaker Carlos Gimenez believes, may now return to their country.
What did the lawmaker claim?
Gimenez claimed that these Venezuelans may now reconsider returning with the aim to rebuild their country. “Venezuela doesn’t need our help. They have the largest oil reserves in the planet. They have unbelievable riches. All they need is a helping hand to restore the governance that will get them what they deserve,” he added.
How have Venezuelans living in the US reacted to Maduro’s capture?
Several visuals from South Florida, New York and Chicago showed Venezuelan-origin people rejoicing, waving their flags and dancing on the streets after news of Maduro’s capture broke.
Justice is being served for all the Venezuelans who left our country,” a Venezuelan national identified as Kirvin Suarez told Reuters.
People in Florida’s Doral were also seen singing Venezuela’s national anthem, chants of “Liberty!” with tears of joy flowing from their eyes. Some carried signs that read, ‘Make Venezuela Great Again’, CNN reported.
What is the situation in Venezuela now?
Following Maduro’s capture and arrival in a New York detention centre, the Venezuelan Supreme Court has directed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to take charge as Interim President. Rodrguez would assume the presidency to ensure administrative continuity and safeguard the nation’s overall defence.
“The office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the Nation,” the court said.
Rodriguez, 56, is among the most influential figures in Venezuela’s socialist establishment. A trusted Maduro loyalist, she has held the posts of Vice President, Finance Minister and Oil Minister, concentrating vast economic power as the country grappled with US sanctions and runaway inflation.
Trump claimed the US would help run Venezuela during the interim, though there were no immediate signs of such involvement on the ground. “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said at a press conference, calling the operation “extremely successful”.