Former ‘Citgo 6’ political prisoner sees ‘karma’ in Maduro ouster, but Venezuelan oil won’t rebound until there’s true regime change

Former Citgo Petroleum interim CEO José Pereira was one of the 'Citgo Six' political prisoners held captive in Venezuela for nearly five years. (Credit: José Pereira)

Watching Nicolás Maduro transported in handcuffs by U.S. officials in January, José Pereira felt a sense of retribution and a release of eight years of pent-up anger.

“That is exactly what this guy did to us,” Pereira said of the former Venezuelan strongman leader. “For me, it was like, ‘Wow, now you’re suffering. Now, this is karma.’ I was very glad. It’s not vengeance; it’s justice.”