In Addison’s Vitruvian Park on Sunday, those old enough to remember Nicolas Maduro’s rise to power gathered alongside those who’ve always lived under his reign to celebrate the capture of the Venezuelan leader.
“I can’t express how I feel today because it’s unbelievable, ok? I’m 25 years old. I was born under the regime, and now we got free. It’s amazing. We can’t believe it,” said Robert Rondon.
“I want to say this is the beginning of the end. There’s a lot more that needs to be done. I’m sure it’s going to happen,” said Genesis Beck.
Just a day after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. conducted an attack capturing Maduro and his wife, Venezuelans who fled to the U.S. seeking safety called for additional arrests.
“The first step was done. Maduro is over. But a lot of people, the right hand of the regime such as Vladimir Padrino López, Delcy Rodríguez, Diosdado Cabello, all of those people have to be in jail. Ok?” said Rondon.
Amid the unabashed joy was a feeling of uncertainty and questions about what comes next.
Through a translator, exiled politician Angel Caridad addressed Trump’s plan for the U.S. to temporarily “run” Venezuela.
“The words, we need to understand the context of how the sentence is,” he said. “The United States is going to be in front of the transition.”
Most said they’re optimistic that the change will be for the better.
“You know what, let’s enjoy this moment because this is the moment we’ve been waiting on for 27 years,” said Jani Mendez.
Mendez and her mother, Rafaela, are among those now dreaming of the possibility of returning home.
“Listen, every one of these people are here for one reason, because we don’t have food in Venezuela or because we want a better life for our kids or our family, but I bet you each one of us wants to go back. My mom is going back. She wants to die there, and I’m going to give this to her,” she said.
Great Job Allie Spillyards & the Team @ NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth for sharing this story.
