Questions Arise Among Venezuelans in Quebec Following Maduro’s Kidnapping

Venezuelans living in Quebec are grappling with shock after the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States. The incident occurred in the middle of the night, leaving many surprised yet not entirely shocked, given previous threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Mario Machado, a resident since 2012, stated, “I’m not surprised by what happened, but I am a little surprised by the action that was taken.” Claudia Carrera, who has lived in Quebec City for 25 years, shared similar feelings. She emphasized the need for vigilance, saying, “We don’t know what will happen next.”

Following the kidnapping, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has taken over as acting president, according to Venezuela’s Supreme Court. Carrera noted that communication with people back home reveals uncertainty about the future. “I think the next few days will give us more clues about what to expect,” she said.

For many Venezuelans abroad, this upheaval brings hope of reuniting with loved ones. However, traveling remains challenging due to the closure of Venezuelan embassies and consulates in Canada and the U.S., making passport renewal nearly impossible. Carrera, who hasn’t been to Venezuela in seven years, expressed a desire for a return to normalcy and democracy.

“We were waiting for something, a miracle, because we had tried everything else before,” she explained. Venezuelans are hopeful that external assistance will lead to positive change.

Machado, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant, raised concerns about potential changes affecting Venezuelans in Canada. Currently, there is an administrative suspension of removals for Venezuelans due to the humanitarian crisis. This means that those denied asylum are not required to leave Canada, allowing them to qualify for other immigration programs.

“For the moment, the administrative reprieve is still in place, but what might happen in the future?” Machado questioned. The Canada Border Services Agency confirmed that Venezuela is subject to administrative deferrals of removals and is monitoring developments closely.