For New Jersey’s Venezuelans, a mix of joy, relief and nervousness following Maduro’s capture
Residents at local Venezuelan restaurants described a mix of relief and nervousness. Many were forced to leave Venezuela, separating from family members, and have spent decades hoping for change.
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Many Venezuelans across New Jersey are experiencing an emotional day after President Donald Trump announced that Nicolás Maduro was captured along with his wife following airstrikes in the country’s capital.
“For me, today is a historic day,” said Jhesy Tuong, a local Venezuelan resident. “Twenty-five years of oppression. For many years, we Venezuelans wanted to hear this, that this man is finally out of our country.”
Residents at local Venezuelan restaurants described a mix of relief and nervousness. Many were forced to leave Venezuela, separating from family members, and have spent decades hoping for change.
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“It’s been so difficult,” said Rene Sanchez the owner of Merey Venezuelan Cuisine in Highland Park. “We Venezuelans did not even want to leave Venezuela. My parents were threatened with kidnapping. My sisters were kidnapped too."
Maria Marquez, another resident, added, “I marched so many times to get my country free. I stayed until the very last minute because I wanted to fight for Venezuela.”
While residents celebrated, they also acknowledged the challenges ahead. “Getting rid of Maduro is just one piece,” Rene said. “Rebuilding Venezuela is going to take a long time and a lot of patience.”
With many family members still in Venezuela, community members say they are feeling nervous with so much still unclear.
