Venezuelans Thank Trump for Maduro’s Arrest
A gathering of Venezuelans and Venezuelan-Americans took place in front of the White House on Monday to express gratitude to President Trump for enabling the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the former socialist leader who had long oppressed the country.
This demonstration followed the historic arrests of Maduro and his wife, Syria Flores, on January 3 during Operation Delta Force. U.S. forces detained the couple at Caracas’ Miraflores Palace and subsequently extradited them to New York, where they face multiple narco-terrorism charges linked to Maduro’s role leading the Sunshine Cartel, a vast cocaine trafficking organization associated with the Venezuelan military.
Maduro has held power in Venezuela since Hugo Chávez’s death in 2013, overseeing one of the biggest migration crises globally, with around 8 million Venezuelans fleeing the socialist regime. This situation sparked celebrations worldwide following his arrest, although reactions varied among Venezuelans, with some supporting Maduro while others did not participate in public protests.
At the White House, attendees rallied primarily to commend Trump for his decisive action against Maduro, viewing it as a pivotal moment for a future with genuine democratic elections. They also urged the President to maintain pressure on Maduro’s current administration, led by top official Delcy Rodriguez, demanding the release of political prisoners and a transition of power. Signs like “Take Diosdado!” were seen, calling for the capture of Diosdado Cabello, a notorious drug lord and security services head.
In interviews with NTN24, Venezuelans shared their gratitude for Trump, stressing the need to counter false narratives suggesting that the populace supports the return of the Maduro regime.
“We want to thank President Trump for restoring our dignity and working to dismantle the drug trafficking system,” one attendee voiced, pointing out that the rally’s goal was also to “counter the left’s claims about our supposed support for Maduro.”
Another participant, identifying as a former political prisoner, recounted his decade-long experience in a torture facility, noting that many still languish in detention in Venezuela under oppressive conditions. “I was held in Sevin Prison for two years,” he recalled, emphasizing that many are currently at risk.
Videos shared at the scene included Venezuelans stating their origins, indirectly mocking the left-wing protests against Maduro globally. When an actual Venezuelan appeared and inquired about their backgrounds, there was a surprising silence.
José Perez, a Venezuelan influencer aiding in the rally organization, explained that their intent was to support Trump’s efforts in Venezuela, asserting their gratitude was heartfelt and voluntary.
A recent public opinion poll by the National Consulting Center (CNC) indicated broad support for Maduro’s arrest, revealing that 79% of Venezuelans viewed it positively. Notably, 80% of young adults aged 18 to 24 supported the actions, while support trailed off among the older population.
The political climate in Venezuela remains in flux, with President Trump regarding Delcy Rodriguez as a temporary leader to facilitate a transition to fair elections. Trump is pressing for the release of more than 1,000 political prisoners, although only 49 have been freed since Maduro’s arrest, according to human rights organizations.
Furthermore, the regime has commenced arrests of individuals suspected of opposing it or celebrating Maduro’s detention. Reports indicate that armed groups affiliated with Diosdado Cabello are reportedly conducting searches for pro-U.S. sentiments in people’s phones.
