Maduro’s capture offers hope of reunion for Norfolk woman who fled Venezuelan crisis

NORFOLK, Neb. — Preparing meals always connects Andrea Gonzalez to her family.

“I think that my favorite memories are that we used to be together,” said Andrea Gonzalez.

Gonzalez was born in Florida and moved to Venezuela as a kid. She left in 2011 along with thousands of other Venezuelans fleeing a mounting humanitarian crisis.

“I mean they didn’t leave because they wanted to; they left because they had to stand in line for almost two hours to buy a bottle of water or milk,” Gonzalez said. “And how do you explain that to a baby? If you have a 6-month-old in your arms crying because he’s hungry?”

Gonzalez returned to the United States at 18 with no connections and only $300 to her name. Today, she owns and operates a breakfast food truck while balancing life as a single mother of three. She credits the Norfolk community for her success.

“Norfolk is a wonderful community for that. I think it’s perfect if you want to raise kids in a safe place, a community that supports you,” Gonzalez said. “There are opportunities. Some people don’t believe that a small town can have opportunity, but they do.”

When Gonzalez first heard that U.S. forces had captured then-President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, she initially thought it was AI.

Once the confusion settled, Gonzalez says she felt a sense of hope that she might finally reunite with family members she never had the chance to say goodbye to.

“But I also have the hope that I can see my grandmas again, and they can see my children and get to know them. That’s the best feeling ever,” said Gonzalez.

President Donald Trump has stated the US will run the country until a safe transition of power can be completed. 

Gonzalez doesn't know when she can visit, but is looking forward to taking that chance when it arrives. In Norfolk Tyler Murphy, news Channel Nebraska.