News that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by U.S. forces in Caracas early Saturday produced sharply contrasting reactions: jubilant celebrations among Venezuelan expatriates in South Florida and tense, anxious scenes inside Venezuela.
Celebrations in South Florida
In Doral, a Miami suburb nicknamed "Doralzuela" for its large Venezuelan community, revelers gathered before dawn outside El Arepazo, an arepa shop that has become an informal meeting place for many exiles. Crowds sang the national anthem, chanted "Liberty!", waved yellow, blue and red flags, and held signs reading slogans such as "Make Venezuela Great Again." Tears of relief mixed with cheers as many expressed hope that Maduro's removal could mark an end to years of repression and economic collapse.
"Justice is being served for all the Venezuelans who left our country," Kirvin Suarez told Reuters outside the restaurant.
Tension and Uncertainty in Caracas
By contrast, footage from Caracas showed mostly deserted streets and highways, long lines at supermarkets and pharmacies, and a lingering smell of gunpowder after the fast-moving military operation. Many residents ventured out only to find businesses closed, while others remained at home in fear of reprisals or renewed violence.
A little girl holds a Venezuela flag during celebrations in Doral, Florida, Saturday after Venezuela president's capture - CNN
"I see a somewhat warlike atmosphere. Silence can say many things," a driver from eastern Caracas told CNN on condition of anonymity.
Political Reactions and Concerns
Hours after the operation, President Donald Trump’s statement that the U.S. would "run the country" until a transition could be arranged amplified anxieties in Venezuela about what comes next. Analysts cautioned that while some Venezuelans might welcome Maduro's removal, those inside the country stand to bear the immediate consequences and uncertainty about the future.
Michael Shifter, a senior fellow on Latin America at the Inter-American Dialogue, told CNN that Venezuelans living inside the country "have to live with the consequences of what happens" and expressed doubt that the immediate aftermath would necessarily reduce suffering.
Crowds celebrate at a gas station in Doral, Florida, Saturday after Venezuela president's capture - CNN
Domestic U.S. Response: Celebrations and Protests
Across the United States, reactions were mixed. Some communities of Venezuelan exiles celebrated abroad, while anti-war demonstrators rallied in cities from Boston to Los Angeles, protesting what they described as an intervention driven by oil interests and warning of potential bloodshed. Demonstrators in front of the White House and in other major cities held signs reading "No Blood For Oil" and "Money For People's Needs Not The War Machine."
What Comes Next
With Maduro detained, uncertainty remains over Venezuela’s political transition, the safety of civilians, and the role of international actors. Observers emphasize the need for a clear, orderly plan to restore basic services, ensure security and protect civilians while addressing the root causes of the country’s crisis.
Reporting contributions: Osmary Hernández in Caracas, José Álvarez in México City and Elise Hammond in New York City contributed to this story.
