'I am so happy': Venezuelans in Wisconsin react to former Pres. Maduro being detained

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The events of the weekend surrounding Venezuela and the United States have been drawing attention around the world. This Monday, the Trump administration is defending its decision to carry out a bold and swift raid on Venezuela, bringing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores to the U.S. to face charges.

The couple appeared in a New York courtroom on Monday, pleading not guilty to narco-terrorism and other charges. Maduro told the court he had been kidnapped. Back in Caracas, Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in Monday and has offered to work with the Trump administration. At the United Nations, Venezuela's ambassador accused the U.S. of violating international law, while America's ambassador defended the operation.

Some Venezuelans in Wisconsin are hopeful about what the new future could hold for their home country. Donning a shirt with a picture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs, Juan Malle celebrates what could mean a new start for his home country. "If we get the peace, if we get a free country, yes, let’s do it right now," he said, surrounding the U.S. intervention with the South American country.

Maduro took office in 2013, leaving Venezuela with soaring inflation rates, violence, and unrest for its citizens. In 2017, after protesting and receiving death threats against his family, university professor Malle left his home country. He was one of 8 million people who fled Venezuela, according to data from the UN Refugee Agency.

"It's not that we're happy that this is happening or that it's been a situation. We exhausted all alternatives. Democratic, institutional, international, and nothing worked! What was the only alternative? For someone to remove him," explained Malle.

In the past decade in Waukesha, Malle has become a U.S. citizen and started two food trucks- Dahlia's Bistro and Empanada Palace. Now a dual citizen, he holds hope for both of his homes. "The future, although somewhat uncertain, seems to indicate that the United States has a roadmap. Just as we did not believe this could happen, we should now place our trust in it," he shared.

Also looking for peace was the MKE Anti-war Committee, organizing the first of several protests during January against the U.S. intervening in Venezuela.

An immigration attorney shares that they worry Maduro's removal could be damaging for asylum claims from residents fleeing Venezuela, as the U.S. government could argue that now that Maduro is detained, they won't be able to show that they'll be persecuted anymore.