ORLANDO, Fla. – A day of strong emotions and strong opinions right here in the Sunshine State after the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s president, from cheers in South Florida to protests in downtown Orlando.
Dozens of demonstrators carried signs reading “Hands off Venezuela” and “No blood for oil,” as they chanted and marched up and down Colonial Drive near Bumby Avenue in Orlando Saturday afternoon.
“Venezuela can only be liberated by Venezuelans, and American involvement has no part,” said James Hammond, a demonstrator and local veteran.
The demonstration comes less than 24 hours after the U.S. conducted a large-scale strike on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro during an overnight military operation and removing him from power and from the country.
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“The actions that took place last night are clearly illegal and violate international law,” said Caleb Pierre, a demonstrator.
Pierre, a Haitian American and Orlando resident, says he opposes U.S. involvement because of what he’s seen happen in his home country of Haiti.
“It’s laughable to suggest they’re on a liberation mission when we are the ones who impose the sanctions,” Pierre said. “If we’re really talking about what could happen in this situation, let Venezuela decide what Venezuela would like to do.”
Local veteran Hammond says the U.S. actions are not about stopping drug trafficking, as the Trump administration claimed, but about controlling the country and its resources.
“It’s always the working and the poor who have to go across the sea and die in a war for oil or whatever it is,” Hammond said. “We don’t want to see that again.”
People are speaking out on both sides of this high-stakes move.
This is one of many demonstrations with mixed reactions taking place across Florida and around the country.
At the same time, others are praising the U.S. efforts to remove Venezuela’s president from power.
“To me, to us, this means everything,” said Valeria, a demonstrator. “Since the moment I was born, we have been living under an abusive dictatorship.”
In South Florida, many Venezuelans took to the streets in celebration, calling Maduro’s capture a turning point for their country.
“As a Venezuelan American, I can’t tell you how happy I am,” said Luis, a demonstrator. “There are tears in my eyes. We’ve been waiting for this moment since 1998.”
More groups and organizations are holding events throughout the weekend. Casa de Venezuela Orlando is holding a prayer vigil for Venezuela Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at First Baptist Orlando.