Venezuelans Celebrate Worldwide After U.S. Forces Seize Nicolás Maduro

When news broke that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic overnight military operation, Venezuelan communities across the United States - from Miami to Dallas to Cincinnati - poured into the streets in celebration. For many, it was the moment they had waited for through years of repression, economic collapse, and separation from loved ones.

Crowds gathered before dawn in Doral, Florida - the symbolic heart of the Venezuelan diaspora - waving flags, singing, crying, and chanting "Libertad!" as confirmation spread that Maduro had been flown out of Venezuela by U.S. military personnel.

"History in the making": Celebrations erupt in South Florida

Outside El Arepazo, a cultural hub in Doral, hundreds gathered in what quickly became a block‑party‑style celebration. Many arrived still in pajamas, unable to wait for sunrise before joining the crowd.

- Revelers draped Venezuelan flags over their shoulders and held signs reading "Libertad" and "Somos Libres".

- Car horns blared as people danced, cried, and sang both the Venezuelan and U.S. national anthems.

- One man told reporters, "My chest feels like it's going to explode with joy... this is history in the making".

For many, the moment was deeply personal. Some had fled political persecution. Others had not seen their children or parents in years due to the Maduro regime's restrictions and the country's humanitarian collapse.

Celebrations spread across the U.S. and the world

The jubilation wasn't limited to Florida.

- In North Texas, dozens gathered in Addison's Vitruvian Park, calling the moment "amazing" and "a relief after 27 years" of political turmoil.

- In Cincinnati, Venezuelan families described the capture as "the biggest miracle of my lifetime".

- In Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Madrid, crowds waved flags and held signs declaring "We Are Free" as the news spread globally.

The scale of the celebrations reflected the size of the Venezuelan diaspora - more than 8 million people have fled the country since Maduro took power, according to U.N. estimates cited in the reporting.

What led to the capture?

According to multiple reports, the U.S. operation involved:

- A large‑scale overnight strike

- Elite Delta Force units

- Months of intelligence gathering and military buildup in the Caribbean

Maduro and his wife were flown to New York, where he later pleaded not guilty to federal narco‑terrorism and cocaine trafficking charges.

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela during a transition period "until a safe, proper and judicious transition can take place".

"Freedom" - but also uncertainty

While the celebrations were emotional and widespread, many Venezuelans acknowledged that the path ahead remains uncertain.

- Several noted that many top Maduro officials remain in Venezuela and have not been captured.

- Others expressed concern about the transition period and the role of the U.S. in stabilizing the country.

- Yet the overwhelming sentiment was relief - and hope.

As one woman in Doral put it:

"Freedom. That's what this means. Freedom."

Why this moment matters - especially for communities in Alabama

For Venezuelan families living in Alabama - from Birmingham to Huntsville to the growing communities around Montgomery - this moment resonates deeply.

Many came here seeking safety, stability, and opportunity. Now, with Maduro removed, some are daring to imagine reunification with family members or even the possibility of returning home one day.

For Alabama communities, this is a reminder of how global events ripple into local lives - shaping our neighborhoods, our schools, our churches, and our shared sense of hope.