MADISON, Wis. – While protests against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro started in the country’s capital city of Caracas, they reached worldwide, each carrying the same message: liberty for Venezuela.

America Cely spoke at the protest in Madison, sharing the hardships her friends and family back home have to endure.

“People are dying without food,” Cely said. “People are dying without medicine, and it’s a very rough situation.”

Cely moved to the United States nearly three years ago. She said she is one of about 3 million people who have left Venezuela in the last two years after the changes they’ve seen under Maduro.

She said almost all those who fled to Madison joined her at the Capitol on Wednesday to support the people still living in their home country.

“We need to feel that we are doing something for our country even when we are far away,” Cely said. “We need to support our families there and friends.”

Ana Julia Guerra said she moved to the U.S. two years ago in an attempt to find the same freedom she once had in Venezuela.

“I chose America because for me America is freedom,” Guerra said.

But being in Madison hasn’t been easy. She said it’s hard to watch Maduro’s policies unfolding while she is so far away.

“It’s horrible because you can’t help,” Guerra said. “It’s hard to see how your people suffer there, and you can do nothing.”

Cely’s and Guerra’s desire to see Maduro kicked out of office were backed by President Donald Trump Wednesday, as he recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as president. Other countries followed suit.

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