CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte realtor originally from Venezuela is reacting to the capture of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro and his first court appearance in the U.S.
Maduro made his first appearance Monday alongside his wife Cilia Flores in a New York City courtroom.
The U.S. military captured Maduro and Flores Saturday morning in Venezuela, bringing them to the U.S. to face narco terrorism charges.
During the court appearance, Maduro declared himself the president of Venezuela and claimed he was innocent.
Rosemara Espinoza, who was born and raised in Venezuela, is watching developments closely.
She moved to the U.S. on Jan. 3, 2000 and the capture of Maduro fell on the anniversary of her arrival.
“It had a great meaning for my life to see that after 26 years, we at least have some hope,” Espinoza said.
Espinoza remembers the positive memories she had of her home country growing up.
“Life was good in Venezuela with a welcoming environment and friendly people,” Espinoza said
She and her family left for the U.S. because she said her father had concerns over the country’s future under the leadership of Hugo Chavez, a self-described socialist.
Espinoza recalls visiting Venezuela in 2009 and seeing a drastic change from the country she grew up in.
“It was my last time there because I didn’t like how I felt and the lack of safety, lack of basic food, toothpaste and soap,” Espinoza said.
Maduro took power in 2013 and since then CNN reports Venezuela has lost 72% of its economy and nearly eight million Venezuelans have left the country.
“Starting with Chavez and then Maduro, Venezuela started to crumble at all levels, not only politically but also economically,” Espinoza said.
While she favors removing Maduro from power, she questions what’s next for the Latin American country.
“There is a lot of uncertainty because there are a lot of people in the Venezuelan government that have his same ideology,” Espinoza said.
She’s following closely the developments of Maduro’s legal case, including his first court appearance Monday where he pleaded not guilty of drug trafficking charges.
“I’m fearful, he’ll be found not guilty because it will be another dream for Venezuelans that doesn’t come true,” Espinoza said.
Her dream moving forward would be to see Venezuela become free.
“I would like to see Venezuela being in power of the country, of their oil, of everything,” Espinoza said.
She hopes to return to visit Venezuela one day and hopes this can be a steppingstone to make it possible.
As far as her family back in Venezuela, she said while they share the excitement of seeing Maduro removed from power, they haven’t celebrated in fear of retaliation.
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Estephany Escobar
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