In Tampa, Florida, the streets were alive with passionate voices on Saturday as both advocates and opponents of the Trump administration’s military intervention in Venezuela expressed their views. The U.S. strike has sparked varied reactions among the community.

A group of Venezuelans gathered in West Tampa, specifically between North Dale Mabry Highway and West Columbus Drive, where they chanted “liberty” and hailed the operation as a potential new dawn for their homeland.

Norma Camero, a prominent leader within Tampa Bay’s Venezuelan community, shared that many see the military action as a step towards the restoration of democracy.

“I believe over 90% of Venezuelans are pleased with the current developments. We are moving towards reclaiming democracy and freedom for the Venezuelan people. There’s immense gratitude towards the U.S. government,” she stated.

However, others caution that celebrations are tempered by concerns for relatives who remain in precarious situations back in Venezuela.

“They’re happy. but they can’t celebrate because they still don’t have rights. It’s still dangerous there,” said Katherin Trujillo, who attended the rally while her family remains in Venezuela.

Across town at Tampa City Hall, members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation of Tampa Bay protested the U.S. military operation, arguing it violates Venezuela’s sovereignty.

“The U.S. has no right to bomb a country in the middle of the night and take out their head of state and say, ‘all right, we’re going to come in and we’re going to take over the oil.”

Organizer Ali Abdel-Qader said the protest followed remarks made earlier Saturday by President Donald Trump about Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.

“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go and spend billions of dollars. Fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country,” President Trump said.

Abdel-Qader said decisions about Venezuela’s future should be left to its people.

“This is not something that the U.S. can decide, how Venezuela is going to be run. That’s for the Venezuelan people to decide.”

Protest demonstrations are expected to continue Sunday in downtown St. Petersburg.

The Pinellas County chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which opposes the U.S. military operation, plans to meet at Williams Park at 3 p.m.