Venezuelans Celebrate Maduro’s Ouster at Dublin Protest

Venezuelans in Ireland gathered in Dublin on Saturday to celebrate the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power and to advocate for the release of all political prisoners in Venezuela. The protest took place on the iconic Ha’penny Bridge, attracting around 100 participants who expressed their support for democratic change in their home country.

This demonstration followed a previous protest held just a week earlier, which opposed the actions of the Trump administration in a military operation that led to Maduro’s ousting on January 3, 2024. Many attendees noted the stark contrast in attendance, with Joel Goelvivas, a Venezuelan resident of Ireland for 12 years, remarking that there were no Venezuelans present at the earlier event. “We are here to protest against people who feel they have a right to speak about our country. We know it best,” he stated, emphasizing the personal experiences of Venezuelans living abroad.

The atmosphere was one of cautious optimism. Protesters conveyed a sense of relief that Maduro’s regime was facing significant challenges. “We have been oppressed and tortured for the last 26 years. There are eight million refugees around the world because of the regime and now finally we have some light at the end of the tunnel,” Goelvivas added. Participants demonstrated their support for the ousting of Maduro, regardless of the involvement of external powers. “We don’t care if it was done by America and by Trump or by anyone. We just want him gone,” he said.

Another protester, Maria Gonzalez, articulated the mixed feelings many have regarding the situation. “I want to make sure that everybody knows that Venezuelans are happy. This is just the first step. Venezuela has always been in a dictatorship,” she declared, reinforcing the idea that the fight for freedom is far from over. Her banner read: “This is not about Trump. It’s about this corrupt dictator [Maduro] and the will of the Venezuelan people.”

The voices of the protest highlighted a broader sentiment among the Venezuelan diaspora. Oraini Ribas, a political refugee in Ireland for four years, stated, “Venezuelans are happy Maduro is in jail. You can be against Trump and celebrate that Maduro is gone.” Her husband, Gustavo Lanz Nunez, a doctor, emphasized the need to recognize the true nature of Maduro’s leadership. “Nobody should fool themselves thinking Maduro is the good guy here. We finally have a slight piece of hope that justice and freedom will come to our country,” he said, pointing to the involvement of countries like Iran, Cuba, China, and Russia in Venezuela’s political landscape.

The plight of political prisoners in Venezuela remains a critical concern. Carmen Parada Ortiz held up a photograph of her mother, Xiomara Ortiz, who is among the many still imprisoned. “My mother has a medical condition. She has no access to a doctor or a lawyer,” she shared, highlighting the dire conditions faced by those detained. Although the Venezuelan government released 11 political prisoners under pressure from the United States, over 1,000 still remain incarcerated.

Another protester recounted the tragic story of her father, who died in Venezuela due to lack of medical attention. “This is the system. If you are against the government, they just let you die,” she said. Her husband echoed the sentiment, stating that every Venezuelan has a personal story of hardship and suffering. “We left Venezuela because there was no hope. We are happy and we have hope that this will be the end of the dictatorship,” they expressed, requesting anonymity for fear of repercussions.

The Dublin protest illustrates the complex emotions surrounding the political upheaval in Venezuela. While there is a collective joy over Maduro’s removal, there remains a deep concern for the future of the nation and its people. Venezuelans abroad continue to rally for change, driven by their personal experiences and a unified vision for a free Venezuela.