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Mixed reactions spread across Southern California Saturday after the United States confirmed it captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during an overnight military operation in Venezuela.
While some Venezuelans in the region expressed relief and hope, others gathered in Los Angeles to denounce the U.S. action, calling it illegal and demanding Maduro’s return as questions mounted about the operation’s legality and what comes next.
Local reaction: relief and uncertainty
In Pasadena, many gathered Saturday morning at Amara Chocolate & Coffee to support the Venezuelan café’s owner and process the news.
Alexander Strubinger, owner of Amara Chocolate & Coffee, told KTLA’s Erin Myers that while the situation is complex, he believes change was needed after years of corruption and economic collapse in Venezuela.
Strubinger acknowledged questions surrounding the motives behind the U.S. operation, but said he believes Venezuela and much of Latin America have suffered for years from financial corruption and mismanagement.
Myers also spoke earlier Saturday with Yesika Cuello Pernia, the owner of Chamo Venezuelan Cuisine, who expressed similar relief over the outcome in Venezuela.
Others in the community voiced hesitation. A woman originally from Venezuela who declined to appear on camera told KTLA she remains unsure of the motives behind the strike, but believes some form of intervention had become unavoidable.
Protests and press conference in Los Angeles
By midday Saturday, opposition to the U.S. action moved into the streets of Los Angeles.
Members of Union del Barrio, the Community Self-Defense Coalition and other organizations held a press conference and rally in South Los Angeles to denounce what they described as an illegal U.S. military attack on Venezuela.
Speakers at the noon event demanded that the United States return Maduro to Venezuela and accused the Trump administration of escalating the conflict for political and economic reasons.
Also at the news conference, demonstrators were seen carrying signs reading “No War With Venezuela” and “Hands Off Venezuela,” while organizers called on Congress to block further military action.
California leaders weigh in
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff said Maduro was an illegitimate leader who oppressed Venezuelans for years, but warned that removing him through military force risks violating the Constitution and international law.
Other members of California’s congressional delegation echoed concerns about the lack of congressional authorization for the operation, while Rep. Young Kim, a Republican from Orange County, expressed support for the decision and said Maduro should be held accountable.
What we know about the U.S. operation
According to the Associated Press, U.S. forces carried out a rapid military operation early Saturday that included explosions near military and port facilities in Caracas. U.S. officials said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized overnight from their home on a military base and flown out of the country.
President Donald Trump said the couple will face prosecution in New York. A newly unsealed Justice Department indictment accuses them of narco-terrorism conspiracy and other crimes, according to The Hill, and alleges Maduro used government power to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking. If convicted, Maduro could face life in prison.
Sofia Pop Perez, Erin Myers, Luis Zuniga and Phillip Ige contributed to this report.
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