A vigil was held Monday night outside the Embassy of Cuba in Northwest.
WASHINGTON — Reactions to U.S. involvement in Venezuela have ranged from relief to concern about the broader implications.
On Monday night, a small group gathered outside the Embassy of Cuba along 16th Street NW.
“There is many of us who strongly disagree with what this government is doing in our name,” one attendee said as candles were lit and passed around.
“Thirty-two Cubans died in Venezuela, as well as over 80 Venezuelans, both civilians and non-civilians,” said Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of CodePink, an anti-war grassroots organization, who was among the organizers.
Benjamin said the situation has been mischaracterized.
“It’s been portrayed as this clean military intervention when it wasn’t. There were many people who died,” she said.
Leonardo Flores of the Venezuela Solidarity Network described his reaction as “shocked and horrifying.” He criticized U.S. actions, saying “the fact that the United States is now bombing my country basically for oil, as President Trump has said time and time again, disgusts me.”
Despite claims from international human rights organizations that Nicolás Maduro stole the election, Flores said he believes otherwise.
“I think Maduro is an honest person. I do think he won the elections,” he said.
Flores added that he voted for Maduro in a previous election, saying, “because he represents hope for Venezuela, because Venezuela is undertaking a project to really turn the oil wealth that it has had and give it to the people.”
Across the country, reactions have varied, from those who believe the United States should not be involved to others who support the move.
“Oh my God, it has been an amazing news,” said Venezuelan-born Alejandro Gerdez. “I know a lot of people have different points of views but this is the start of big change that we waited for.”
Others expressed optimism about political change.
“We have a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel that we have, and we are now at a point where we can have a step towards a transition back to democracy,” said political activist Luis Patiño, who came to the U.S. 13 years ago. He is a member of the opposition party Voluntad Popular.
Back at the vigil outside the Cuban Embassy, concerns focused on long-term consequences.
“It’s not a partisan issue, and it’s not just a stay out of Venezuela issue. It’s a stay out of everywhere issue,” Flores said. “Don’t need these endless wars. These wars don’t benefit us everyday common people. These wars don’t benefit the working class. They benefit corporations. They benefit warmongers.”
Benjamin echoed that sentiment, saying, “Trump said he was for America first, and that means take care of the problems in this country instead of searching for enemies overseas.”
Organizers said they plan to hold more rallies and vigils in the coming days.