Houston Venezuelan community reacts to US air strike in Venezuela and capture of President Maduro
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Video from overnight in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas shows missiles blasting off in the sky after an air strike by the U.S. military.
It came after the capture of the country's president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.
Maduro has been in office since 2013. Some Venezuelans in Houston say the country suffered through economic hardships under his watch and feel it's time for a new head of state.
"We have this feeling of this eternal, eternal mourning of that we thought was never going to end, and today we see we are en route for this regime to end," one Houston Venezuelan said.
"Yeah, actually, I think it's the start to the best option to, you know, to change. The people (are) waiting for this moment," another Houston Venezuelan said.
The airstrikes are causing division among Texas lawmakers.
In a statement, Senator Ted Cruz showed his support by saying:
"I applaud President Trump for his leadership, and I am deeply grateful to our servicemembers for their execution of this operation."
Democratic Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, on the other hand, criticized the president and sent a statement that reads in part:
"I strongly oppose Nicolas Maduro's illegitimate government. But President Trump ordered military force in Venezuela without Congressional approval. That is a serious constitutional violation."
ABC13 also spoke with Dr. Luis Duno-Gottberg, who is a professor of Latin American Studies at Rice University. He says he feels the air strikes were premeditated after the U.S. military attacks on alleged drug boats from Venezuela.
"The attacks that have happened to boats in the offshore waters of Venezuela were a rehearsal for these activities," Dr. Luis-Duno Gottberg said.
Duno-Gottberg says he wants the next leader to be elected fairly by the people of Venezuela.
"It is my hope that they will let the people of Venezuela direct their destiny, rebuild their country, and also govern and profit from the wealth of the country," Duno-Gottberg said.
On Sunday afternoon, dozens attended a demonstration near Post Oak Boulevard and Westheimer Road held in opposition to the U.S. air strikes in Venezuela.
"Venezuela is not our country. Venezuela is its own country. They need to take care of their own issues. If they ask for help in some kind of way, yes, but not bombing them," Gina Biekman said.
"Different people may have a different perspective on Maduro. The question is, does the United States have the right to go in and invade other countries and kidnap their leaders if they're a sovereign nation?" asked Vivek Venkatraman.
