BREAKING: Venezuelan Americans erupted in celebration in Doral, Florida, as news broke that President Nicolás Maduro was captured during a military operation. This unprecedented event has ignited feelings of hope and uncertainty among the Venezuelan diaspora, who have long awaited change in their homeland.
Crowds gathered outside the El Arepazo restaurant, a cultural hub in Doral, on Saturday, chanting “Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!” and draping themselves in Venezuelan flags. The jubilation reflects a culmination of years of hardship, with roughly 8 million people fleeing Venezuela since 2014 due to a devastating humanitarian crisis.
UPDATE: President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government plans to assume temporary control of Venezuela following Maduro’s ouster. Trump emphasized that this military action is part of a larger strategy to stabilize the oil-rich nation, which has been plagued by violence and oppression.
“We’re like everybody — it’s a combination of feelings, of course,” said Alejandra Arrieta, who moved to the U.S. in 1997. “There’s fears. There’s excitement. There’s so many years that we’ve been waiting for this.” Her words resonate deeply with many Venezuelans who have endured years of authoritarian rule and economic despair.
In Doral, a Miami suburb with a significant Venezuelan population, emotions are running high. Many attendees expressed relief and cautious optimism about a potential new beginning for Venezuela. Niurka Meléndez, who fled her homeland in 2015, is hopeful that the U.S. intervention will pave the way for much-needed reform. “For us, it’s just the start of the justice we need to see,” she stated in a phone interview.
Local leaders and activists are calling for international humanitarian support to aid Venezuela’s recovery. “Removing an authoritarian system responsible for these crimes creates the possibility for recovery,” Meléndez added, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding the country on principles of justice and democracy.
As the situation unfolds, many Venezuelans in the U.S. are preparing for the next steps. The potential for a more stable government raises questions about the future of those who remain in Venezuela. The hope for a brighter future is palpable, but the path ahead remains uncertain.
With the international community closely watching, this developing story is set to have significant implications for both Venezuela and the Venezuelan diaspora in the United States. As celebratory gatherings continue in Doral, many are left wondering: what comes next for their beloved homeland?
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation evolves.
