There is a mix of feelings regarding the future of Venezuela following the capture of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, by U.S. forces early Saturday. The capital, Caracas, was targeted with airstrikes, and Maduro, along with his wife, was relocated out of the country.
During a press conference on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would assume control of Venezuela until a new government is established. However, the specific details of how this oversight will be executed remain unclear.
Thamara DeVries, a realtor based in Charlottetown who hails from Venezuela and moved to Canada at 18, shared that she has heard varied responses from individuals in Venezuela.
She expressed, “The uncertainty surrounding the near future is resulting in a range of emotions from relief to hope. There has been a history of dashed hopes in similar situations in the past, so caution prevails among the population.”
Since assuming the presidency of Venezuela in 2013, Maduro has presided over a significant economic collapse in the country. His tenure has been characterized by allegations of election tampering, food scarcities, and human rights violations.
DeVries lamented, “The legacy of five generations within my family has been decimated. This regime has long been undesired by the Venezuelan populace. The developments are instilling hope in Venezuelans both within the country and abroad.”
DeVries expressed her aspiration to revisit Venezuela following Maduro’s removal. She shared, “This development fills me with hope that I will one day be able to show my children my country of origin.”
‘Every action has consequences’
Despite her optimism, DeVries conveyed reservations about the upcoming administration of the country.
She noted, “Every decision carries repercussions, and the population is anxious about the implications of the transition.” DeVries added, “The extent of involvement by the Trump administration in governing Venezuela remains ambiguous. However, it is evident that there is an interest in controlling the nation’s oil reserves.”
Venezuela possesses the largest oil reserves globally, and Maduro has frequently accused Washington of coveting control over the nation’s oil resources.
During his press briefing on Saturday, Trump emphasized plans to resume oil production and distribute it to various countries. He declared that the generated revenue would benefit both the people of Venezuela and the United States.