Streets in a Florida town known as 'Little Venezuela' were filled with jubilant celebrations as residents rejoiced over the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The event, which has sparked hopes for a political transition in the South American nation, led hundreds of Venezuelan expatriates and Venezuelan Americans to gather in the Miami suburb of Doral.
Dreams of a New Dawn in Doral
The news, which broke in the early hours of January 3, 2026, prompted an immediate and emotional outpouring in Doral. This area is the heart of South Florida's Venezuelan community, with over 40% of its residents being of Venezuelan origin, making it the largest such concentration in the United States. For many, the day was one they had long imagined.
In a conversation, Florida resident Rosana Mateos revealed she had a recurring dream about the fall of Maduro's government. "I always dreamt that I'd find out in the early hours of the morning," said Mateos, a Venezuelan expat who has been in the US since 2012. She, like many others, rushed to join the impromptu gathering upon hearing the news. The celebrations were vibrant, featuring Venezuelan flags, signs, music, chants, and the constant sound of car horns, all expressing a profound sense of relief and joy.
A Community Forged by Flight and Struggle
The overwhelming sentiment among the celebrants was one of liberation from years of hardship. Most residents in Doral fled Venezuela due to severe economic troubles and widespread insecurity that worsened after Maduro took office in 2013, and during the rule of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
Bryan Marquez, a native of Tachira state who emigrated two years ago, struggled to articulate his feelings. "We suffered under them [Maduro]. It was humiliating. That's why so many of us left," he told the BBC, citing the dire economic situation and lack of security. The community's gratitude for the dramatic shift was directed squarely at US President Donald Trump. "It's an indescribable feeling. He's really helped us... I don't know what to say, except thank you," Marquez added.
This sentiment was echoed after Trump stated in a press conference that the US "is going to run" Venezuela through a team working with its people to "make sure that we have Venezuela right."
Hopes for Venezuela's Future
The capture of Maduro has opened a debate about the country's future leadership. Some in the community express hope that US involvement could help rebuild the nation's crippled economy. Luis Atristain, 21, pointed to Venezuela's vast resources, saying, "They [the US] are going to go in, restart the industry. The oil alone is worth billions, or trillions. It will help the country build up again."
Others strongly support opposition figures taking charge. Many voiced their backing for 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado and former opposition candidate Edmundo González. "They are dirty and corrupt. We support María Corina Machado... That's what the Venezuelan people want, which we've already said at the ballot box," asserted Rosana Mateos, reflecting a desire for a democratic transition led by Venezuelans themselves.
The celebrations in Doral mark a pivotal moment for a diaspora community that has watched their homeland struggle from afar, now daring to hope for a new chapter in Venezuela's history.
