A Former Leader Of The Venezuelan Student Protest Movement Reflects On Maduro's Ouster And Fighting Tyranny Here At Home

Welcome to a new year with Extracurricular! Eddie and Steph welcome 2026 and catch up on current events in public education and in Orange County. They then welcome Venezuelan American Jose Gamboa to the show (15:00). Jose recounts his childhood in La Guaira and how former President Nicolas Maduro rose to power following the death of Hugo Chavez (21:00). Jose shares some of his experiences as part of the student protest movement and then his journey to America (32:30). After living in America for almost ten years, Jose describes his reaction to learning about the United States’ capture of Maduro last Saturday morning and how he has been processing the news (37:42). Jose shares his concerns about the political power transition and the group discusses what Venezuela’s political future might look like (49:45). They end the show with Jose’s message to Americans amidst the current international political climate and his call for more conversations, empathy and immigration reform (1:05:45).   Follow us: Jose Gamboa Extracurricular Podcast Stephanie Vanos Eddie Geller