In an unprecedented global display of emotion, millions of Venezuelan exiles erupted in celebration following the capture of their former leader, Nicolas Maduro, by United States military forces. The operation, which culminated in Maduro’s extradition to New York to face narcotics trafficking allegations, triggered spontaneous gatherings across international capitals from Santiago to Madrid.
Colombia’s capital, Bogotá, which shelters the largest contingent of nearly three million displaced Venezuelans, witnessed scenes of profound emotional release. Kevin Zambrano, a hairdresser who fled a decade ago, expressed uncontainable joy, stating his gratitude for what he termed ‘the first step’ toward national liberation. Similarly, in Santiago, street vendor Yurimar Rojas voiced a sentiment echoed by countless others: ‘At last we’ll be able to go back home.’
The celebrations, however, were tempered by geopolitical complexities and internal divisions. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would temporarily ‘run’ Venezuela pending a stable political transition, a declaration that drew immediate condemnation from Maduro’s Vice-President, Delcy Rodriguez, who asserted that Maduro remains the nation’s ‘only president.’
Amid the euphoria, poignant personal stories emerged. Yeiner Benitez, a security guard in Bogotá, tearfully recounted the tragic death of his uncle due to medication shortages—a direct consequence of Venezuela’s economic collapse. His narrative underscored the profound human toll of the crisis that drove nearly eight million citizens into exile.
Not all responses were celebratory. In Mexico City, protesters gathered outside the U.S. embassy, brandishing signs that read ‘No to war’ and warning against what they perceived as neo-colonial resource extraction. Mario Benitez, leading the demonstration, urged Venezuelans to resist foreign intervention and protect national sovereignty.
The events set the stage for a complex power struggle, with opposition figure Maria Corina Machado delivering a galvanizing message of hope to supporters in Madrid, while the current administration in Caracas vowed to defend the nation’s sovereignty. The path forward remains uncertain, balancing exiles’ dreams of return against the challenges of rebuilding a shattered nation.