U.S. intervention in Venezuela divides Houston : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2F88%2F9703279e46b689edde61cdc89f20%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-02.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5e%2F88%2F9703279e46b689edde61cdc89f20%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-02.JPG" class="img" alt="Lupita Gutierrez, a fruit and vegetable vendor, poses for a portrait on Jan. 14 at the Houston Farmer’s Market in Houston. Gutierrez says she thinks Trump ordered the intervention in Venezuela to distract Americans from his failure to address inflation and other issues at home." fetchpriority="high"/> Lupita Gutierrez, a fruit and vegetable vendor, poses for a portrait on Jan. 14 on the Houston Farmer's Market in Houston. Gutierrez says she thinks Trump ordered the intervention in Venezuela to distract People from his failure to cut back inflation at dwelling. Danielle Villasana for NPR cover caption

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Danielle Villasana for NPR HOUSTON — It has been barely a month since U.S. forces swooped into Venezuela and snatched up strongman Nicolás Maduro. The raid convulsed that nation, and the results nonetheless ripple by means of this oil-rich metropolis, dwelling to main petroleum corporations in addition to a big Venezuelan group.

Some folks right here concern what U.S. intervention may convey. Others see a robust message to the world and a chance. Within the suburb of Katy, Freddy Pereira is shopping for chocolate Ovaltine and lollipops from a Venezuelan grocery retailer to remind his 9-year-old daughter of dwelling. Pereira, 42, says he left Venezuela two years in the past after the mafia saved extorting meals from his restaurant and the cops had been no assist. The U.S. seizure of Maduro provides him hope.

"I'm very grateful to President Trump for every thing he has carried out," says Pereira, who wears a "Lone Star State" cap and now makes a residing delivering meals. "I lastly see a lightweight on this darkish tunnel the place we could not see a method out."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9f%2F58%2Fd9f0637f4c0ab14979c8d5eee94b%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-12.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9f%2F58%2Fd9f0637f4c0ab14979c8d5eee94b%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-12.JPG" class="img" alt="Freddie Pereira poses for a portrait on January 14, 2026, at Mi Querencia Latin Market in Katy, Texas." loading="lazy"/> Freddy Pereira poses for a portrait on Jan. 14 at Mi Querencia Latin Market in Katy, Texas. Pereira fled Venezuela two years in the past and now works delivering meals in Houston. He says he is grateful to President Trump for ordering the seizure of Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro: "I do not consider anybody else, no person, would have helped us get out of this tragedy." Danielle Villasana for NPR cover caption

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Danielle Villasana for NPR A 30-minute drive east of Katy is the Houston Farmers Market the place Lupita Gutierrez sells fruit and greens. Gutierrez, who's 39 and from Mexico, thinks the Trump administration seized Maduro to distract from issues right here at dwelling, together with excessive meals costs and protests over ICE raids.

"The USA goes by means of lots of issues," says Gutierrez, who wears an apron that reads, "Mexico Lindo," or "Lovely Mexico." "I feel it is primarily as a result of the president is not doing the job he must be doing to handle all of the individuals who stay right here."Gutierrez was one in all practically two dozen native residents interviewed about the united statesintervention in Venezuela. Most opposed it. A latest New York Instances/Siena ballot discovered related outcomes, with 53% disapproving of Trump's dealing with of Venezuela and 41% approving.

Clay Duncan, who works for a medical machine firm, is amongst these 41%. He was nonetheless sporting his blue scrubs when NPR caught up with him one night in Rice Village, a purchasing and restaurant district close to Rice College. Duncan continues to be impressed with how U.S. particular forces captured Maduro.

"I feel that is additionally a warning to different nations if you push the administration, if you push the American folks to a sure level, we'll take motion," Duncan says.

The Trump administration accuses Venezuela of smuggling medication which can be killing People, and Duncan thinks eliminating Maduro will assist. However the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says Venezuela performs no function in fentanyl smuggling and that almost all cocaine is produced in Colombia.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fda%2F2f%2F28fa2ad242bebc00364fc99d3fb3%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-15.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fda%2F2f%2F28fa2ad242bebc00364fc99d3fb3%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-15.JPG" class="img" alt="Clay Duncan poses for a portrait on January 14, 2026, at Rice Village in Houston, Texas. Duncan, who works in the medical device industry, is very happy with Trump's second term. He says the intervention in Venezuela is a message to other countries: When you push the American people to a certain point, were going to take action." loading="lazy"/> Clay Duncan poses for a portrait on Jan. 14 at Rice Village in Houston. Duncan, who works within the medical machine business, is pleased with Trump's second time period. He says the intervention in Venezuela is a message to different nations: "If you push the American folks to a sure level, we'll take motion." Danielle Villasana for NPR cover caption

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Danielle Villasana for NPR Duncan additionally hopes the U.S. can revive Venezuela's oil business and assist its folks.

"We're not an imperialistic nation," Duncan says. "That is not what that is. I feel if we assist set them up on their very own ft in order that they'll get their sea legs and run the nation, that is what's finest for them."

A number of miles north of Rice village is a café known as Brazil. Work of LBJ and Larry Hagman — who performed JR on the '80s TV present Dallas — cling over the bar.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc3%2F73%2F133dc956431f93ccc1be8341fddc%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-25.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc3%2F73%2F133dc956431f93ccc1be8341fddc%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-25.JPG" class="img" alt="Gwen McMurrey poses for a portrait on January 15, 2026, at a coffee shop in Houston, Texas. " loading="lazy"/> Gwen McMurrey, an inside designer, says the U.S. intervention clearly looks like a seize for Venezuela's oil. "If it was regime change," she says, "why did you allow the regime in place?" Danielle Villasana for NPR cover caption

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Danielle Villasana for NPR Gwen McMurrey, 38, an inside designer, is writing thank-you notes over a latte and a blueberry scone. She thinks the U.S. intervention in Venezuela is a rip-off.

"It simply looks like such an apparent oil seize," McMurrey says. "Trump is harmful and ... silly, which is ok, lots of people are silly, however he is simply bought an excessive amount of energy for that to be secure."

A number of tables away sits Shanna Berry, 52, a retired hairdresser. She helps Trump and is glad Maduro's gone, however she worries Trump may deploy a large U.S. power to the nation. Berry served within the Air Drive as a munitions specialist and says she was in Kuwait after the primary Gulf Battle.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc0%2F71%2Fd3c55b074323b923a346d6e83201%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-18.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc0%2F71%2Fd3c55b074323b923a346d6e83201%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-18.JPG" class="img" alt="Friends Alma Ong, left, and Shanna Berry, right, on January 15, 2026, at a coffee shop in Houston, Texas. " loading="lazy"/> Retired hairdresser Shanna Berry (proper), pictured along with her buddy Alma Ong, says she worries the U.S. may ship troops to Venezuela however typically approves of the U.S. motion there. "For essentially the most half, I assist it as a result of I'm towards the dictatorship," she says. "Lots of people had been struggling in Venezuela." Danielle Villasana for NPR cover caption

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Danielle Villasana for NPR "So many males went over there to defend our nation, they usually've come again with issues like extreme PTSD and actually unhealthy accidents. And my concern is that it as soon as once more will probably be for nothing," she says.

Trump desires U.S. corporations to rebuild Venezuela's oil business. However some are cautious — previously, the Venezuelan authorities compelled them to renegotiate contracts on worse phrases. As well as, most Venezuelan oil has the consistency of peanut butter, making it pricey to maneuver and refine.

However retired oil employee John Rodriguez, 58, sees alternative. He spoke to NPR at a roadhouse one night time close to the refineries east of town.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2F2b%2F4005e36d4a0d9ee7e3d501408c7d%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-08.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4500x3000+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2F2b%2F4005e36d4a0d9ee7e3d501408c7d%2Fd-villasana-npr-venezuela-08.JPG" class="img" alt="T-shirts celebrating the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro and other wares for sale on January 14, 2026, at Mi Querencia Latin Market in Katy, Texas." loading="lazy"/> T-shirts celebrating the U.S. seize of Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro had been on the market at Mi Querencia Latin Market in Katy, Texas, on Jan. 14. Danielle Villasana for NPR cover caption

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Danielle Villasana for NPR "I consider it will have a big impact on the flexibility for us to provide and create jobs for the business," Rodriguez says, including that the highest refineries within the space are capable of handle what he calls Venezuela's "soiled crude."

Traditionally, U.S. intervention in Latin America — from Chile to Guatemala — has typically left the nations and folks worse off. Rodriguez is cautious of the U.S. inserting itself once more.