Venezuelans gathered at Montreal’s Faubourgs Park on Sunday to express their solidarity with their country as President Nicolás Maduro faced impending criminal charges in the U.S. Marta Rincon, a Venezuelan present at the event, viewed Maduro’s apprehension in Caracas as a reason for optimism amidst the violence that ensued. Rincon, who left Venezuela in 2011 due to economic and security concerns, emphasized the importance of democracy in the current situation.
Similarly, José Hidalgo, a 25-year-old who grew up under the political ideologies of Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chávez, echoed Rincon’s sentiments. Hidalgo expressed relief at the potential for change and criticized the lack of separation of powers in Venezuela due to government repression.
As questions regarding the legality of Maduro’s arrest surfaced, Hidalgo believed that the U.S.’s intervention was necessary and long-awaited by the Venezuelan populace. The recent events marked a significant development for a country that has experienced a mass exodus of nearly eight million people over the past 12 years, according to the UN Refugee Agency.
In a separate rally near the U.S. consulate, concerns were raised about the implications of Maduro’s forced removal. The event’s organizer, Celeste Trianon, criticized what she perceived as U.S. imperialism and its potential impact on other nations. Charles-Philippe David, an expert in strategic and diplomatic studies, cautioned against intervention without a clear plan for stabilization and democratization.
Despite the celebrations in Montreal following Maduro’s capture, there remains uncertainty about the future political landscape in Venezuela. Some individuals, like Alexandra Suarez-Cariel, view Maduro’s ousting as just the beginning of potential changes in the country. Meanwhile, for Venezuelan migrants like David Rojas, the events of the weekend brought a glimmer of hope for a possible return to their homeland after years of being away.