The capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has stirred a wave of emotions among Venezuelans residing in Northeastern Pennsylvania. While this event is seen as a historic milestone, it leaves many feeling that the journey toward change is far from over.
In Luzerne County, Ivanna Pereira, who runs Twosweeteria catering service, found herself engulfed in mixed feelings. “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m feeling,” she expressed. The unexpected news led to a sleepless night filled with notifications of escalating violence in Caracas. Videos of explosions, bombings, and missile activity only added to her anxiety.
Despite the passage of time, Pereira continues to grapple with the emotional turmoil. “It’s almost 11 at night now, and I’m just about to go to bed,” she remarked, still in disbelief over the unfolding events.
A Mix of Hope and Fear
Nearby in Hazleton, Karla Rodríguez, who owns the Caracas Mix and Match food truck, shared how deeply her family has been affected by the developments. “I feel a lot of uncertainty about what may happen in Venezuela, especially because a large part of my family is there,” she said. Her concerns resonate with many who fear the ongoing violence and potential foreign intervention.
Conversations within her family mirror the broader emotional spectrum felt by Venezuelans. “Some feel joy at the idea of a Venezuela free from dictatorship,” she noted, while others fear an escalation of violence and its impact on innocent civilians.
Despite these fears, the possibility of returning to a peaceful Venezuela offers a glimmer of hope for many. “Others feel happiness thinking they may be able to return to Venezuela and rebuild their lives,” Rodríguez added.
Rodríguez also highlighted the potential repercussions for the diaspora, suggesting that these developments could enable families separated for years to reunite. “Without a doubt, this could bring joy to thousands of Venezuelans in the United States who are separated from their loved ones,” she said.
‘Do I Celebrate? Do I Not Celebrate?’
Pereira expressed that while Maduro’s arrest is momentous, it does not yet signal full liberation for Venezuela. “For me, the decisive moment — the moment when you say, ‘Yes, Venezuela is finally free’ — will be when I see María Corina Machado in Miraflores with Edmundo González,” she explained. Machado and González are well-known opposition figures, with González recognized as the rightful winner of Venezuela’s 2024 election.
Openly celebrating Maduro’s capture in Venezuela remains fraught with danger. “It’s impossible to go out and celebrate in Venezuela at this moment,” Pereira warned, citing ongoing repression and the threat of arrest.
Pereira further mentioned the continued influence of entrenched political figures, such as Diosdado Cabello, a powerful enforcer within Maduro’s circle. “So you’re left asking yourself: What do I do? Do I feel happy? Do I celebrate? Do I not celebrate? We really don’t know what to do.”
‘Venezuela Deserves a Better Future’
While Venezuelans abroad are thankful for the developments, the path to a brighter future remains uncertain. “Yes, we are very happy this happened, but it’s not over yet,” Pereira said. In the meantime, many are not yet planning to return home.
In Hazleton, Venezuelan refugee Erick Rubio summed up the emotional complexity felt by many. “My family and I are overwhelmed with so many different emotions,” he shared. Gratitude for international intervention, particularly from the United States, is palpable among the diaspora.
“Venezuela deserves a better future,” Rubio concluded, echoing the shared longing for stability and opportunity in Venezuela.
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