In an outpouring of emotion, Venezuelan-Americans in South Florida erupted in celebration following news of a US operation targeting President Nicolás Maduro. The community in Doral, Florida—often referred to as ‘Doralzuela’ due to its high concentration of Venezuelan expatriates—gathered spontaneously, waving flags and chanting slogans against the Venezuelan leader.
BBC correspondent Bernd Debusmann, reporting from the scene, captured raw reactions from residents who expressed overwhelming joy and relief. ‘I’m so happy,’ one emotional resident told the BBC, echoing sentiments shared by many who fled economic collapse and political repression under Maduro’s administration. The celebratory atmosphere reflected years of pent-up frustration among exiles who have advocated for international intervention.
The development marks a significant escalation in US-Venezuela relations, with Washington taking direct action against a leader it has repeatedly sanctioned and labeled illegitimate. The events in Doral highlight how Venezuela’s political crisis has created deep diasporic communities abroad that remain intensely engaged with developments in their homeland. Many celebrators expressed hope that this operation might lead to democratic restoration in Venezuela, though the ultimate outcome remains uncertain amid complex geopolitical tensions.