UPDATE: Venezuelan Americans erupted in celebration on Saturday after reports confirmed the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation. This unprecedented event has left many revelers in Doral, Florida, both excited and anxious about the future of their homeland.
Strong emotions filled the air as crowds gathered outside the popular El Arepazo restaurant, a cultural hub for Venezuelans. Chants of “Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!” resonated among attendees, many of whom draped themselves in Venezuelan flags. One participant, Alejandra Arrieta, expressed a mix of hope and fear: “There’s so many years that we’ve been waiting for this. Something had to happen in Venezuela. We all need the freedom.”
Former President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government will oversee Venezuela’s governance temporarily, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Venezuelan relations. The military operation represents the culmination of a sustained pressure campaign against Maduro’s regime, with weeks of careful planning to track his movements.
The implications of Maduro’s ouster are profound. Approximately 8 million people have fled Venezuela since 2014, many seeking refuge in the United States after years of economic and humanitarian crises. As reports of the capture spread, Venezuelans in Doral felt a renewed sense of hope for change in their country.
Niurka Meléndez, who fled Venezuela in 2015 and co-founded the organization Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid, is advocating for international support to aid in her homeland’s recovery. She expressed optimism that Maduro’s removal could lead to justice for Venezuelans suffering under an oppressive regime.
“We are hopeful this is just the start of the justice we need to see,” Meléndez stated in a phone interview. Venezuelans have faced forced displacements, repression, and humanitarian crises, and the removal of Maduro raises the possibility for recovery.
As celebrations continue in Doral, the future remains uncertain. Venezuelans are left to ponder the next steps and the potential for rebuilding their nation on the foundations of justice and democracy.
The world is watching closely as the situation unfolds. Will this military intervention pave the way for a new era in Venezuela, or will the challenges continue? Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
