'The joy is unbelievable,' Venezuela native says
Riccardo Romero, of Merrick, wears a Venezuela hat at Arepa Cafe in Queens on Saturday. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Inside the Arepas Cafe in Astoria, the upbeat song "Yo Me Quedo en Venezuela" — "I am staying in Venezuela" — played as patrons celebrated, embraced and draped a Venezuelan flag from the restaurant awning to celebrate President Nicolás Maduro's ouster.
Restaurant owner Riccardo Romero expressed optimism for his native country's future.
"The joy is unbelievable," Romero said in an interview, smiling widely. "I haven't slept. I don't think I'm going to sleep today."
Romero, who has lived in the United States since 1991, said he's been waiting for this moment.
"When they took power, I knew that Venezuela was going to suffer. My whole entire family came looking for freedom because the situation in Venezuela was rough," he said Saturday.
"Venezuela is a very rich country and we have all the reserves to become a wealthy country."
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