UK Venezuelans React to Maduro's Capture Amid Mixed Emotions and Concerns
Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces in a pre-dawn assault on Caracas and taken to New York to face criminal charges, in an operation seemingly lacking clear legal or constitutional authority.
The 2021 census counted more than 21,000 Venezuelan-born residents in Britain, many of whom have expressed mixed emotions about Maduro’s removal. Relief at the end of his regime is tempered by concerns over the presence of foreign troops on Venezuelan soil and fears of potential instability.
Approximately 8 million Venezuelans—about a quarter of the population—have fled the country under Maduro’s 12-year rule, marking Latin America's largest displacement crisis. This exodus followed a 2014 economic collapse characterized by rampant inflation, widespread poverty, insecurity, deterioration of the health system, malnutrition, and rising maternal mortality.
Cinzia de Santis, chair of Healing Venezuela, fled after appearing on the 2004 Tascón List. She views Maduro as a dictator and fears for her family’s safety, while also critiquing former US president Donald Trump’s policies. Despite this, she welcomes Maduro’s removal.
Alejandro Arenas-Pinto, a 55-year-old doctor, worries about his relatives' wellbeing back home. He notes that the ongoing humanitarian crisis heavily influences perspectives on the legality of foreign intervention. He fears longer-term instability and the possibility of casualties.
Domingo Lapadula, a 58-year-old automotive manager, observed little military resistance during the operation, suggesting the regime was not defended by the military and implying this marks a significant break in governance.
Maduro’s extended rule persisted despite widespread suspicions of election fraud in 2024 and ongoing repression. Some Venezuelans continue to support the change, hoping for a peaceful new chapter following this upheaval.
