Exiled Venezuelans in Cúcuta Celebrate After U.S. Attack Removes Maduro, but Remain Wary

Exiled Venezuelans gathered in Cúcuta, Colombia, to celebrate after an American attack deposed Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, with many weeping and lighting fireworks in a jubilant crowd.

Those who fled described long years of hardship: Jorge Colmenares, 50, who left seven years ago and now sells caramel candy at red lights, said he had “utterly lost hope” before the news. Millions have settled abroad in recent years — three million in Colombia and nearly five million elsewhere in South America — and hundreds of thousands have crossed the Darién Gap on their way north, the article says.

Few people have returned since the attack, and the Cúcuta crossing, which handles about 70 percent of traffic between the countries, was largely quiet over the weekend except for three Colombian-armoured vehicles. The United Nations and the Colombian government said movement remained normal and mostly reflected daily commerce; on Sunday morning more people were crossing into Colombia.

At a central promenade, hundreds celebrated with speeches and chants led by Eduardo Espinel, who thanked President Trump and acknowledged that many remained in a wait-and-see mode, saying Mr. Maduro’s closest associates appeared to still hold power. Exiles expressed hope about returning but also fear for relatives still in Venezuela and uncertainty about what comes next.

Key Topics

World, Venezuelan Exiles, Cúcuta, Nicolas Maduro, Colombia, Darién Gap