A woman holds a placard during U.S. President Donald Trump's press conference, after the U.S. struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Doral, Miami, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Marco Bello
(Doral, Florida) – Venezuelans across South Florida gathered in the streets early Saturday to celebrate the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, marking what many in the community described as a historic moment for their country.
The celebrations followed an announcement by President Donald Trump confirming U.S. military action in Venezuela and Maduro’s removal from power.
Crowds formed outside El Arepazo in Doral, a longtime hub for the Venezuelan community, where people waved Venezuelan and American flags, embraced one another and chanted slogans calling for freedom. The scene reflected years of displacement and frustration felt by Venezuelans who fled political and economic turmoil under the governments of Hugo Chávez and Maduro.
Doral, home to one of the largest Venezuelan populations in the United States, became a focal point for the emotional response. Families gathered across generations, including children born in the U.S., as many participants expressed gratitude toward Trump and the U.S. military for what they viewed as decisive action against the Maduro government.
While questions remain about the future of Venezuela and the legal implications of the operation, many in the South Florida Venezuelan community focused on what they see as renewed hope for political change. The developments raised the prospect of eventually returning to a country many have not seen in years, even as uncertainty continues inside Venezuela itself.
Earlier Saturday, Trump said Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of Venezuela following U.S. strikes targeting military facilities. Maduro was indicted in a U.S. court in 2020 on charges related to alleged narco-terrorism.
As the morning continued in Doral, community leaders and elected officials joined the crowds, with celebrations continuing as Venezuelans reflected on what they called the beginning of a new chapter for their homeland.
