Venezuelan community leader in Illinois remains hopeful as protests intensify

(The Center Square) – Venezuelans in Illinois are hoping for the best after the disputed election between President Nicolas Maduro and challenger Edmundo Gonzalez.

Thousands of people have taken part in protests in Caracas and throughout Venezuela since the election on Sunday, July 28. Maduro’s government reported that more than 700 people have been detained. There are independent reports of up to 12 deaths.

Election officials declared Maduro the winner before vote totals were released. Gonzalez’ party has also declared victory.

Dr. Jose Balboa, president of the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance, said the election is one step in the process and it is not easy to remove a dictator with votes.

“We need the pressure from other countries, the pressure from the United States. We need pressure from many other countries that can help us to reach the freedom,” Balboa told The Center Square.

Balboa said it is important for Venezuelans in the United States to send information to the people in Venezuela.

“In Venezuela right now, they don’t have access to the information. All the TV channels, all the radio stations are under government control. And right now the government is trying to control the internet, too,” Balboa said.

According to Balboa, the problems with the Venezuelan government involve more than just political ideology. The Illinois Venezuelan Alliance leader said that Venezuela is a narco-dictatorship.

“I’m not a socialist. I’m full capitalist. But the thing is, those governments, when you have a dictator like we have in Venezuela, those guys don’t fit in any ideology,” Balboa explained.

Balboa said people in the Venezuelan regime might refer to the government as socialist because it sounds better.

“Right now in Venezuela, we have a narco-dictatorship with military, too. It’s a military narco-dictatorship,” Balboa said.

The Illinois Venezuelan Alliance aims to benefit and work for the well-being of the Venezuelan community in Illinois.