Thousands of Venezuelans and their sympathizers gathered on Miami’s Bayfront Park yesterday, expressing vehement opposition to Nicolás Maduro's regime, and the results of Venezuela’s recent presidential election, which they claim was fraud. Surrounded by flags and fervent calls for democracy, the attendees echoed the global demand for change in Venezuela. According to NBC Miami, the crowd demanded an independent review of votes after Maduro declared victory over opponent Edmundo Gonzalez.
Dana Arocha, who moved to South Florida at the age of five, told NBC Miami, “I feel like by being here, we're showing our face for our country and fighting for the people who are struggling over there” and insisted on the importance of being educated on the crisis in Venezuela. The Miami demonstration was part of larger global efforts, with rallies to also spring up in other cities worldwide.
The sentiment was echoed in a Miami Herald interview, where Venezuelan personality Carolina Sandoval shared, “For the first time in 25 years we feel that we are close. This time it is different.” Drawing an estimated 8,000 participants by the evening, the protest not only called for Maduro's resignation but also for recognition of the opposition's claim that Edmundo Gonzalez is the rightful election victor.
Opponents of Maduro have been urging international leaders to address the crisis, given the threat of further outflows of Venezuelan refugees. José Jimenez, told the Miami Herald, “We are fed up. We are not going to tolerate Maduro’s effort to remain in power perpetually.” Artists such as Willy Chirino and Arturo Sandoval lent their fame to the Miami event, echoing the resolve for a free Venezuela through their music.
With around 800,000 Venezuelans in the U.S., rally-goers shared deeply personal accounts of the diaspora, with one attendee, Angela Garcia, stating to the Miami Herald, “After 20 years living in Miami, I have suffered the distance away from my family. Chavismo, Maduroism has destroyed our families in Venezuela and we are now scattered around the world.”
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