People singing the Venezuelan national anthem in Doral, Florida
People sing the Venezuelan national anthem during a celebration in Doral, Florida, on January 3, 2025, after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was removed from office.
On January 3, a crowd of people gathered outside El Arepaso Doral Restaurant in Doral, Florida to celebrate the news of the arrest and deportation of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Many in the crowd wore hats in the yellow, blue and red colors of the Venezuelan flag. Some wore flags on their backs. Some held posters that read “Freedom for Venezuela” and “Until the end.”
Some people put their hands on their hearts and sang the Venezuelan national anthem.
They finished shouting “USA, USA, USA.”
Two women held up posters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Colina Machado.
Edgar Rodríguez, events coordinator for Machado’s Vente Venezuela party, said he was startled awake around 1 a.m. when he heard news of the U.S. military operation in Caracas.
Rodriguez said he was overwhelmed with hope to return home after hearing the news of Maduro’s arrest.
“It’s been a nightmare for 26 years,” Rodriguez said. “So many innocent people have died. There are so many tortured political prisoners and families separated by people forced to flee the country.”
“Today is a day of freedom,” Rodriguez added. “Today, that nightmare will finally end.”
Rodriguez added that removing Maduro from power to restore democracy in Venezuela would not have been possible without U.S. intervention.
“It was completely necessary,” Rodriguez said. “We needed the help of our brother country, the United States, to help us in our quest for freedom.”
Lisbeth García stood outside El Arepaso Doral holding a Machado banner that read: “Venezuela is our only option.”
García said he wanted to join other Venezuelans in celebrating Maduro’s removal from power.
“We’re all celebrating here in Doral,” Garcia said. “We have renewed our hope for a prosperous Venezuela that will welcome all of us who have left our homeland.”
“With Maduro gone, Venezuela can move forward,” García added.
