Several Venezuelan people based in Cork have welcomed the removal of president Nicolas Maduro from power, as they wait in anticipation for what is in store next for the South American country.
On January 3, the United States conducted a major military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro.
The Venezuelan president has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and narco terrorism charges. Gaby O’Connor is originally from Venezuela but has been living in Cork city for the last six years.
Married to a Cork man, she told The Echo the capturing of Maduro has been viewed as a relief.
“I could speak for a lot of Venezuelans, we are happy with this.
“We are happy that he is going to face justice finally after all of these years of misery, that all of the Venezuelans have been going through inside of Venezuela.
“There is a population of al
most nine million Venezuelans that have left the country since 2014.
“We need to clarify to the world that Maduro is terrorising people over and over. It is still happening today. So, we are happy that he is facing jail.”
But Gaby added that while Maduro is facing justice right now, he is not the only one who should be out of government in her home country.
‘Mauricio’ is also a Venezuela native who lives in Cork.
As he still has family living in Venezuela, he requested The Echo not to publish his full name.
Mauricio has also welcomed the removal of Venezuelan president Maduro.
“There is a sense of joy and vindication. The country has been crumbling for the last 25 years. Obviously, the last few years have been worse.
“The opposition has tried literally everything, including trying to do this the democratic way, with elections.
“The last two presidential elections were fraudulent, and this has been verified and certified by the US, the EU, and the UN.
“So, it is not like my opinion. This has been factually confirmed.”
In the wake of Maduro’s arrest, Venezuelan vice-president Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as the interim president.
As to what she thinks will happen next in Venezuela, Gaby O’Connor points out that Venezuelans have been fighting the regime for decades. “We have been utilising every democratic aspect that we can use to get rid of them.
“It is impossible because they have the forces and it is impossible to fight them in democratic elections.
“So, I think right now, the United States can help to lead the transition for a Venezuelan government to take over.
“Since 2014, there have been over 18,000 political prisoners in Venezuela. I know people who are in jail because they were just opposition to the government.”
Mauricio added it could potentially take a significant amount of time before change is evident in Venezuela.
“There is a sense that things have changed. But I think it is just morale.
“I don’t see this as a couple of days or a couple of weeks. I think [it will take] months or years.”