Maduro’s Gesture Was More Than Just a Peace Sign
Upon being taken into custody by U.S. forces, some of Nicolás Maduro’s initial gestures captured on camera did not seem to convey defeat: A thumbs up, along with what many interpreted as a bold peace sign, was displayed as he and his spouse were escorted in handcuffs by authorities during their arrival in New York on Saturday. The actual significance of this gesture was not overlooked by his supporters. During a session of Venezuela’s National Assembly held in Caracas, the capital, on Monday, lawmakers showcased the same sign, sometimes with subtle variations. It went beyond merely representing the universal symbol for peace. A two-finger “V” gesture has a longstanding association with signaling victory during wartime, a symbol popularized by Winston Churchill during World War II. The two-handed sign that Mr. Maduro employed — with one hand forming a “V” and the other pointing towards it — translates to “Nosotros venceremos,” or “Together we will win,” as noted by experts on Chavismo, the political movement named after Hugo Chávez, Mr. Maduro’s predecessor. This phrase has been widely utilized by leftist revolutionary groups in Latin America, including those in Cuba, to represent the victory over oppression. Mr. Maduro and his wife were extracted from Venezuela in a dramatic military operation, which was the ending of a months-long pressure strategy on the leader by the Trump administration. This removal was met with apparent shock and outrage by the Venezuelan government: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who has now been appointed interim leader, demanded evidence of life and condemned the act as a “barbarity.” Ms. Rodríguez softened her remarks later, but the discussion in Venezuela’s National Assembly indicated that loyal legislators, who significantly outnumber the opposition, maintained their defiance. On social media platforms, the repeated gesture quickly gained traction, with some asserting that it bore a resemblance to Mr. Chavez’s signature, which, following his death in 2013, became a widespread symbol, featuring even in tattoos. One lawmaker who used the gesture was Jorge Rodríguez, who was reaffirmed as the president of the National Assembly during the same session where his sister, Ms. Rodríguez, took the oath as the nation’s interim leader. Mr. Rodríguez, a trained psychiatrist and a pivotal member of Mr. Maduro’s inner circle, repeatedly made the sign, notably when Mr. Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, a legislator, nominated him as president of the legislative body for the upcoming term.
Published: 2026-01-06 20:16:00
source: www.nytimes.com
