There is a mixed reaction to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by the U.S., according to a Venezuelan-Canadian professor at McMaster University.
Manuel Vasquez Villavicencio, an assistant professor of philosophy in Hamilton, pointed out that some people view this event positively due to the belief that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
When American forces apprehended Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas on Jan. 3 on charges related to drug trafficking, Vasquez Villavicencio expressed conflicting emotions. Despite moving to Canada more than a decade ago, he still has family in Venezuela enduring hardships under Maduro’s regime, which has led to widespread poverty and food shortages since 2013.
However, Vasquez Villavicencio also highlighted the underlying motives behind the U.S.’s actions, particularly its interest in gaining better access to Venezuelan oil. This knowledge dampened his ability to fully celebrate Maduro’s removal from power.
Currently, Venezuela’s high court and military support Delcy Rodríguez as the interim leader, a figure aligned with Maduro who seems willing to collaborate with the U.S. In contrast to Maduro, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated a willingness to work with Rodríguez.
Vasquez Villavicencio expressed concern over the precarious political situation in Venezuela, emphasizing the potential risks faced by its citizens.
Vasquez Villavicencio criticized the potential trade-off where the Venezuelan government’s cooperation with the U.S. could come at the expense of civil liberties and rights of the people.
He expressed a desire for a free and prosperous Venezuela with functional institutions that prioritize the well-being of its citizens.
‘A little bit of freedom’
Another Venezuelan immigrant in Canada, María Fernanda Aguirre, who works as a chemical engineer in Hamilton, shared her reaction to Maduro’s capture.
Aguirre recounted her initial happiness upon hearing the news, as her family also shared the sentiment. Having tried various forms of protest against Maduro’s government without success, the sudden removal of the president was a moment of disbelief and hope for change.
Aguirre clarified that for many Venezuelans, the U.S. operation symbolizes a quest for freedom and change rather than an invasion.