Venezuelans in Madrid celebrate Maduro’s capture

Venezuelans living in exile in Spain celebrated the capture of the authoritarian Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Madrid.

Spanish media estimated their number to be several hundred, as they sang songs of joy and prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, as could be seen on television. Many people at the famous Puerta del Sol square wept with happiness and embraced each other.

However, some of the Venezuelans expressed concern in interviews with the state-owned Spanish TV channel RTVE, as it was completely unclear how things might proceed in the South American country, they said.

“Between euphoria and caution,” one woman described her reaction.

Many also expressed fear for relatives back home.

According to RTVE, almost half a million Venezuelans live in Spain. Most have left their homeland due to the authoritarian leadership in Caracas and the precarious economic and social situation.

On the Canary Island of Tenerife, however, there was a small demonstration by supporters of Maduro and his government. They held up a banner with the words “Yankees out of Venezuela and the Caribbean.”