Houston Venezuelan community reacts with joy and opposition to Maduro’s capture

Across the Houston area this weekend, a mix of celebrations and protests unfolded following the United States' military strike in Venezuela, which resulted in the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This development sparked joyful gatherings among certain Venezuelan expatriates, while others took to the streets to voice their opposition to U.S. intervention.

On Saturday night, a parking lot at a Katy strip mall came alive with the vibrant display of Venezuelan flags, as music filled the air and revelers formed a conga line in celebration of Maduro’s capture. “Being an immigrant is something that has been really difficult for many of us, but we’re happy—it’s a miracle from God,” stated Miluixsy Miranda, 27, who made the journey to the United States approximately two and a half years ago.

In a significant development, President Donald Trump announced early Saturday a large-scale operation in Venezuela. This operation led to the detention of Maduro and Flores, both of whom are now facing criminal charges. The mission came in response to the enduring U.S. critiques regarding the Maduro administration’s human rights practices and purported corruption.

Houston boasts one of the largest Venezuelan communities in the nation, with over 50,000 Venezuelan immigrants residing in the metropolitan area, as reported. Many in attendance expressed a sense of cautious optimism following the recent developments.

“It’s a mix of emotions, really—there’s happiness, but also a touch of worry,” remarked Hector Machuca, 44, who relocated to the U.S. in 2016 with his family. “We’re excited because this marks the beginning of the end,” he stated, conveying optimism that Maduro’s capture might herald a transformation for Venezuela.

Nonetheless, the reaction varied significantly. On Sunday, a crowd assembled near The Galleria to voice their opposition to U.S. involvement in Venezuela, brandishing signs that proclaimed “No blood for oil” and “Hands off Venezuela.” “Neither a penny nor a dollar.” “We refuse to fund war and violence,” the protesters shouted.

Caleb Kurowski, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, highlighted similarities between the U.S. actions in Venezuela and previous interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We believe that Venezuela will ultimately remain unchanged,” he stated.

Several individuals attended the protest as neutral observers, refraining from aligning with either side. Andres Gomez expressed his desire to grasp the various perspectives, highlighting the intricacies of the situation. “This matter is quite intricate,” he stated.

Participants at the protest expressed their disapproval of the United States. Others expressed their disapproval of the United States' actions while also recognizing the suffering that Venezuelans have experienced under Maduro's regime. “The cause of this situation is U.S. intervention,” stated Travis Lejune. “Therefore, our method of unlawfully abducting the dictator is not the solution,” he stated, offering a critique of the strategy.

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