Members of Ottawa's Venezuelan community gathered on Sunday, January 5, 2026, in a public display of celebration and defiance. The event was a direct response to the recent arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and a counter-protest against a separate 'Hands Off Venezuela' demonstration.
A Celebration of Hopeful Change
For many in the diaspora, the news from Venezuela represented a long-awaited moment. Daniela Manrique, one of the participants, captured the collective sentiment, stating she was celebrating "the first steps of the end of a dictatorship." The gathering served as an emotional outlet for those who have fled the South American nation's political and economic turmoil, viewing the arrest as a potential turning point towards democratic restoration.
Facing Opposition on the Ground
The celebration was not without its detractors. A group identifying itself as 'Hands Off Venezuela' held a simultaneous protest, advocating against foreign intervention in the country's affairs. The Venezuelan celebrants directly pushed back against this narrative, arguing that their stance was born from personal experience and a desire for self-determination, not external influence. The scene in Ottawa highlighted the deep political divisions that extend far beyond Venezuela's borders into its global diaspora.
Broader Political Reactions in Canada
The seismic event in Venezuela also drew reactions from Canadian political figures. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith pointed to the capture as underscoring the urgency for a West Coast pipeline, framing it as a lesson in energy security. Meanwhile, in a related political development, former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from Parliament following an appointment to work with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The arrest of Maduro has sent ripples through international politics and markets, with Canadian and U.S. stock markets rising as the global oil market recalibrates. For the Venezuelan community in Ottawa, however, the day was intensely personal—a mix of catharsis, hope, and a continued struggle to shape the narrative about their homeland's future from thousands of kilometres away.
