ALLENTOWN, PA — After the capture of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelans in the Lehigh Valley celebrated at a La Libertad de Venezuela event held at La Bicicleta Arepa Bar in Allentown. The gathering was hosted by manager and owner of the restaurant, Claudia Canelon. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, who is of Cuban descent, also joined the crowd, as well as City Council president Cynthia Mota.
“As Allentonians are thrilled about Maduro’s removal, I am right there with them,” Tuerk said.
Maduro’s widely disputed presidency, as well as allegations of “narco-terrorism” in his government, meant that many Venezuelans both at home and abroad hoped for and anticipated political change. However, some have said they did not expect a United States strike taking Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores, from their Caracas compound in the dead of night…