Celebration and Uncertainty: Venezuelans React to Maduro's Ouster

Mon Jan 05 2026 00:38:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In Doral, Florida, Venezuelan expats celebrate the military operation that led to Nicolás Maduro's capture, expressing mixed emotions about their homeland's future.

Venezuelans in Doral, Florida, gathered to celebrate the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro, chanting for liberty and expressing hope for the future of their country. Even amidst their joy, many grappled with uncertainties about what lies ahead for Venezuela. Community members, including immigrants and activists, called for international support to address the humanitarian crisis back home.

DORAL, Fla. (AP) — Revelers chanted “liberty” and draped Venezuelan flags over their shoulders in South Florida on Saturday to celebrate the American military operation that has reportedly toppled Nicolás Maduro’s government — a moment they had longed for, yet filled them with questions about the future of their troubled homeland.

People gathered for a rally in Doral, Florida, a Miami suburb where a significant Venezuelan community resides, as news broke that Maduro had been detained and removed from the country.

Outside the El Arepazo restaurant, a center for Venezuelan culture in Doral, one supporter held a sign reading “Libertad,” echoing the hopes of many native Venezuelans seeking a fresh start for their country.

“We’re like everybody — it’s a combination of feelings, of course,” said Alejandra Arrieta, who emigrated to the U.S. in 1997. “There’s fears. There’s excitement. There are so many years that we’ve been waiting for this. Something had to happen in Venezuela. We all need the freedom.”

Trump has stated that the U.S. government would run Venezuela at least temporarily, marking a significant escalation in the U.S. approach to the oil-rich nation. This move capped weeks of strategy aimed at Maduro, as well as increasing pressure from the administration.

About 8 million people have fled Venezuela since 2014, many moving to neighboring countries initially but turning towards the U.S. post-COVID-19, seeking asylum and opportunities. In Doral, the community consists of a diverse mix of professionals, entrepreneurs, and workers from service industries, each contributing to the local economy.

Niurka Meléndez, who fled in 2015 and co-founded an aid group for immigrants, expressed optimism over Maduro’s removal, viewing it as pivotal for Venezuela's recovery amid its ongoing humanitarian crisis. “For us, it’s just the start of the justice we need to see,” she stated, emphasizing the need for international humanitarian support as the country works to emerge from an authoritarian regime.

As the situation develops, Venezuelans continue to hope for a firm democratic restoration and a recovery from years of hardship borne under Maduro’s rule.