A celebration of Venezuelan food and culture in Calgary on Saturday took on an urgent humanitarian mission as participants paused to aid their homeland, which was struck by devastating earthquakes. While people danced to Latin rhythms and ate empanadas at Eau Claire Plaza, Cira Latre accepted donations for disaster relief in Venezuela, a country she left for political reasons in 2008.
“I have one cousin who lost her house, her apartment building in Caracas just collapsed,” said an emotional Latre, who hails from Maracaibo. “We have lots of friends who are still waiting to recover the bodies (of loved ones) so it’s too much to deal with right now.”
Powerful Quakes Strike Venezuela
The South American nation, already riven by political turbulence following a U.S. military assault and takeover last January, suffered a pair of powerful earthquakes last Wednesday that both exceeded 7 on the Richter scale. By Saturday, the death toll had climbed past 1,400, though authorities say that number is expected to soar further as many remain trapped under rubble, and thousands more have been rendered homeless.
“A lot of children have lost their parents, they are losing everything,” said Latre, who wore a colourful baseball cap adorned with a Venezuelan flag. Members of the local Venezuelan community are dealing with the gruesome tragedy gripping their homeland while finishing Venezuelan Culture Days, which began June 13, more than a week before the earthquakes hit.
Festival Continues with Relief Focus
“We can’t cancel (the festival),” said organizer Ernesto Gudino. “But at this event, we’re accepting cash, every penny counts.” Gudino, who came to Canada in 2007, said his sister in Caracas wasn’t directly affected by the quake but noted its impact on many others is heartbreaking. Money collected will immediately purchase badly needed items like bottled water, clothes, food, and support efforts to help the most severely impacted victims.
“Part of these donations are going to provide money to rescue or recover people,” said Gudino. “They need help now, yesterday.”
Political Context and Community Views
Members of the Venezuelan community interviewed by Postmedia said they opposed the socialist regime of the late Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro, the latter seized by American troops and held in the U.S. on drug trafficking charges. Some said they welcomed the American action. Latre is one of those opposed to the socialist government but said the Trump administration’s control of the remnants of Maduro’s government isn’t the solution. “I don’t trust them, they’re just looking for more money,” she said.
