Venezuelans in Andorra Celebrate Maduro's US Arrest on Drug Charges

Around 40 Venezuelan residents in Andorra gathered peacefully on Tuesday at Plaça Príncep Benlloch in Andorra la Vella to celebrate Nicolás Maduro's arrest by US forces on narcotrafficking charges, expressing relief mixed with concerns over a difficult transition and the role of foreign powers.

The Association of Venezuelan Residents and Supporters in Andorra (AREVPA), which has 80-90 members, organized the static social gathering—a non-protest event—on the 6 January public holiday from 5pm to around 6:30pm. Attendees wore Venezuelan flags, tricolour accessories, hats, maracas and Vinotinto football jerseys. Association president Reynaldo Márquez described the atmosphere as one of shared "illusion" and "happiness" for potential change, though participants stressed that transitions after dictatorships are challenging. They called for the removal of all figures who backed Maduro over the years, highlighting regime control of state institutions, recent journalist arrests and risks of reprisals.

Axel Torres spoke of "immense joy" for most Venezuelans after years of electoral fraud since 2013, student deaths, shuttered universities, military involvement in drug trafficking and oil output falling from three million to 500,000 barrels daily. Giselle Brizuela noted free speech remains impossible, with a generation lost despite oil riches that failed to deliver food, medicine or basics like cotton in hospitals. She defended US action as essential, despite its interests and ties to Russia and China, warning of "hard steps" ahead including dialogue and reorganization. Eduardo Arcila—or Marcilla in some reports—said the story "has just begun," urging multilateral support beyond the US amid geopolitical tensions; he recalled recent airspace closures forcing land routes via Colombia but noted no Andorran Venezuelans trapped there.

Police from the GSMO unit arrived initially as the permit request was logged but unconfirmed, verified it after checks and departed, allowing the event to continue without incident.

Another group of Venezuelan residents has requested authorization for a further peaceful gathering in coming days, reflecting ongoing satisfaction with the US intervention but persistent uncertainty.

Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained in Caracas early Saturday, transferred to New York's Metropolitan Detention Center by Sunday and pleaded not guilty to narcotrafficking, narcoterrorism and weapons charges. The US announced plans for a provisional administration and defended the operation at the UN as anti-drug trafficking, not occupation. Opposition leader María Corina Machado hailed the arrest and voiced hopes for strategic US ties in security, energy and democracy. Washington has questioned her immediate leadership capacity amid transition challenges.

Andorran Foreign Minister Imma Tor condemned Maduro's "oppressive regime" online, backing a peaceful democratic shift respecting international law and the UN Charter. Government spokesperson Guillem Casal echoed this in a Wednesday press conference, expressing solidarity with Venezuelans, opposing antidemocratic oppression and stressing UN processes, diplomacy and respect for the people's will.

Major parties responded cautiously. Democrats leader Jordi Jordana aligned with Tor, noting Maduro's lack of recognition post-elections and international accusations, while prioritizing civilian safety, family concerns and a transition with democratic guarantees under international law. Social Democrats' Marta Pujol rejected both the regime and the US military intervention—described as an "assault" with bombings—favouring UN mechanisms over invasions or extralegal captures, citing geopolitical and family worries raised by AREVPA. Concòrdia's Cerni Escalé prioritized national issues like housing, saying Tor's remarks surprised them as no internal position was set.

The government and Spanish consulate are repatriating Andorra's sole citizen in Venezuela, safe outside Caracas; no other nationals are reported there. Analysts foresee minimal local impacts like visa questions, with diaspora showing "contained emotion" and prudent hope amid exhaustion and censored news inside Venezuela. Chavismo faces internal rifts, with Maduro's son alleging betrayals enabling the swift US operation. Political instability persists with mobilizations and open questions on the future.