As the world watches and waits for the chips to fall, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to federal drug charges that led to his capture by U.S. military in Caracas on Jan. 3.
Maduro, 63, faces charges of cocaine importation conspiracy, narco-terrorism for overseeing trafficking that benefits terrorist groups and two gun counts.
The Journal News/lohud spent time speaking with Latinos from Spring Valley, New Rochelle and New York City, to gauge their reactions and perspectives. Read on for more.
Latinos in Spring Valley, New Rochelle offer conflicted perspectives
Many Latinos expressed feeling conflicted on what to make of the capture of the deposed Venezuelan president. Most held negative feelings toward Maduro and felt that his removal from the country was positive.
“They removed a person that wasn’t governing their country the way they should have, with respect to citizens’ human rights,” said Ricardo Estrada, a Mexico native who now resides in New Rochelle. “I think what the United States did was good. We have to help people who are suffering under dictatorships when we can.”
Estrada said he wishes the prevalence of cartels throughout Latin America, including in his home country of Mexico, could be resolved.
“It’s not so much for me, because I live here now,” Estrada said. “I’m more worried about the teenagers and kids, their families who are being affected by the cartels.”
Anibal C., a Spring Valley resident originally from Guatemala, was also pleased to hear about Maduro’s removal. When asked about the possibility of war, he said he didn’t believe it was likely to happen.
“Venezuela has been under control before. If they can put someone in charge to make a positive change for the citizens, I think it will help the region as a whole,” he said.
However, other members of the Latino community felt that it was hard to decide whether Maduro’s capture was good or bad.
“I’m in the middle,” said Maribel R., a Salvadoran native who works in New Rochelle. “I support my Venezuelan friends and am happy they are free from Maduro, but I don’t think it’s a good thing that the United States bombed their country and are taking control.”
“It’s hard to give opinions,” said Fernando Rodriguez, a Mexican resident who was visiting a friend for the holidays in New Rochelle. “I think each country is so focused on what they have going on. Lots of people are happy he’s gone, but I don’t really have a solid opinion.”
Protesters demonstrate different messages
In Orange County on Saturday, Maduro arrived to a small gathering of protesters at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh holding handmade signs emblazoned with the words “NO WAR on Venezuela!”, “NO WAR BUT CLASS WAR,” and others.
“Venezuela is a country with over 30 million people,” Daniel Atonna, a Poughkeepsie city councilman and member of the Democratic Socialists of America who took part in the protest, told reporters. “Trump has unilaterally declared war on them by bombing their capital and kidnapping their president. He’s done this without the consent of Congress or the American people.“
Some drivers honked and waved in support as they passed in the slow-moving traffic. One man flashed his middle finger. A lone counter-protester stood across the busy road from the protest, heckling and taking pictures.
In New York City on Monday, more protesters stood outside the Federal Courthouse echoing the Newburgh demonstrators’ calls to free Maduro and his wife.
City resident Ebetsham Ahmed rallied with protesters demanding Maduro’s release.
“The U.S. does not have the any right to infringe on the sovereignty and self-determination of the Democratic rights of Venezuela,” Ahmed said. “They don’t have the interests of the Venezuela people in mind. They want the oil… the natural resources.”
But there were others with a different message. Plenty of Venezuelans were at the courthouse Monday celebrating Maduro’s capture and arrest. They sang “Gloria al Bravo Pueblo,” the Venezuelan National Anthem, waving Venezuelan flags with pride.
Manhattan resident Maria Su could be seen holding up a Venezuelan flag at the barriers near the Federal Courthouse. She said she felt “very happy.”
Su fled Venezuela in 2017. “Thank you Donald Trump, Thank you America,” she said.
Contributing: lohud’s Chris McKenna and USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: As Maduro pleads not guilty, NY Latinos react to arrest of a dictator
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera and Seth Harrison, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
