“30 years of injustice, deaths, persecutions that has caused millions of families to separate, because we had to flea our country because we were being persecuted.”
SAN ANTONIO — Venezuelans living in San Antonio reacted with a mix of relief, hope and cautious optimism after reports surfaced that President Nicolás Maduro had been arrested following U.S. military action in Venezuela.
KENS 5 reporter Mike Jimenez spoke with several members of the Venezuelan community who said the developments were long overdue and could mark the beginning of a better future for their country.
At Zulia’s Kitchen, a Venezuelan restaurant on the city’s North Side, customers and staff closely followed reports overnight, celebrating what they believe could be a turning point in Venezuela’s decades-long political crisis.
“I’m extremely happy,” said Moreleis Diaz, the restaurant’s owner. “It’s been years since I felt this much happiness in my heart, like I feel today.”
Diaz said she and her husband first learned of explosions in Caracas through social media and immediately began searching for live coverage.
“It’s been about 30 years of injustice, deaths and persecutions that caused millions of families to separate because we had to flee our country,” Diaz said, adding that many Venezuelans left after being targeted for political reasons.
She said that after years of economic collapse, corruption and alleged drug trafficking tied to the government, U.S. intervention was necessary.
“It’s complicated because we knew this transition was going to be difficult and violent,” a customer said. “But it’s what we’ve been waiting for so there could finally be a solution.”
Morelva Ramos, another Venezuelan living in San Antonio, said she believes justice has finally arrived. She blamed Maduro’s government for widespread hunger and loss of life and said she is hopeful for Venezuela’s future.
“It’s going to be prosperous and good,” Ramos said. “People will have a dignified salary. Right now, a Venezuelan earns about half a dollar. How is that possible? Venezuela has riches, that can explode, and we will be very good.”
During a presidential address, former President Donald Trump said the United States would oversee Venezuela’s government during a transition period. Diaz said such involvement is necessary to prevent instability.
“Who is going to defend us?” she said. “Who is going to guarantee peace if the U.S. government doesn’t step in to guarantee a peaceful transition?”
For many Venezuelans watching from afar, the developments have sparked hope that years of political turmoil, economic hardship and displacement may finally be coming to an end.