In the center of Madrida Venezuelan woman raises a glass of sangria towards the sky. “Now is a new beginning!” she proclaims, surrounded by a crowd that this Saturday came out to celebrate the capture of Nicolás Maduro and dream of a quick return home.
Shouting “He’s gone, he’s gone!” and “Fell, fell!”, the Spontaneous concentration of Venezuelans at Puerta del Solone of the most emblematic places in the Spanish capital, took place in a festive atmosphere, between dances, songs and celebrations.
Carrying hats with the colors of Venezuela or wrapped in the yellow, blue and red flag, the protesters arrived little by little. Many hugged each other, excited, and applauded an improvised doll that represents Maduro in handcuffs, raised above the crowd.
“I came to celebrate because we are finally leaving this dictatorship,” said Pedro Marcano, 47, who declared himself “grateful” to the United States for the “great favor for those who are in Venezuela and those who are outside.”
Marcano only thinks about returning to Venezuela. “Right now we don’t have a clear picture but I will be one of the first,” he added while wiping away a tear as he remembered the family members he had not seen for eleven years.
One of the largest Venezuelan diasporas in the world resides in Spain, with around 400,000 peopleaccording to the National Institute of Statistics.
“I have nothing else to do here”
For many of these immigrants, who left a good part of their families behind, the news of Maduro’s capture by the United States was deeply shocking.
“As soon as they open the airspace, I’m going to Venezuela. I have nothing more to do here, I’m going to my country,” said Yuleida Peña, 58, who runs a Venezuelan products store in Spain.
“We already managed to get the worst out,” he added, referring to Maduro, but admitted feeling concerned for the people still in Venezuela. “Those who are there are still under the regime of those thieves, of those thugs.”
This woman indicated that she was “aware” that Washington acted motivated by its own interests, and cited oil and minerals, but stated that she was in favor of reestablishing economic relations with the United States “if it is for the benefit of the people and recovering freedom.”
Jocelin Piguave, 30, also plans to return “home”driven by the hope of seeing María Corina Machado, an opposition leader recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, govern.
However, US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Machado does not have “the support or respect” necessary to govern his country.
Many of those present at Puerta del Sol were cautious about the future. “We have to see what comes with the transition,” said Karla Ramírez, a 53-year-old domestic worker.
“There are people who will not want to let go, a civil war is coming,” the woman warned, without ceasing to celebrate that, finally, “change” seems to be approaching.
