Venezuela

See Miami’s Venezuelan exile community celebrate the capture of Maduro

By Pedro Portal

Updated January 3, 2026 1:58 PM

Miami’s Venezuelan community took to the streets in the early hours of Saturday to celebrate the announcement of the capture of strongman Nicolás Maduro, who was flown out of Venezuela along with his wife, after the United States military targeted several locations in Caracas and surrounding areas with airstrikes.

Read more: Trump says Maduro captured, flown out of Venezuela after U.S. strikes shake Caracas

Here are images of the scene outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Fla.

Talla Mendez expresses her excitement as she joined group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Talla Mendez expresses her excitement as she joined group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

President Donald J. Trump supporters joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — President Donald J. Trump supporters joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Cuban exiled Michael Berger waves a Cuban and a Venezuelan flags as he joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Cuban exiled Michael Berger waves a Cuban and a Venezuelan flags as he joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Commuters expressed their support to Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Commuters expressed their support to Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

City of Doral Police officers seen on the roof guarding a celebration by Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — City of Doral Police officers seen on the roof guarding a celebration by Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Starly Vivas was among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Starly Vivas was among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

A Cuban exiled woman known as “La Mambisa” prays with a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — A Cuban exiled woman known as “La Mambisa” prays with a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Camila Gonzalez, 18, and Matias Gonzalez, 16, hug their mother Jamila Briceno react to the news outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. — Camila Gonzalez, 18, and Matias Gonzalez, 16, hug their mother Jamila Briceno react to the news outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

Laura Parra and Ana Karina Gonzalez react outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. — Laura Parra and Ana Karina Gonzalez react outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

Venezulans celebrate outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. — Venezulans celebrate outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com

Kirvin Suarez was among was among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Kirvin Suarez was among was among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Lisbeth García displays a banner with a picture of the opposition leader María Corina Machado as she joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Lisbeth García displays a banner with a picture of the opposition leader María Corina Machado as she joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Julian Pantoja and Any Gonzalez de Fernandez were among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Julian Pantoja and Any Gonzalez de Fernandez were among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

A man displays a banner with a picture of opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, as he joined a group of Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — A man displays a banner with a picture of opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, as he joined a group of Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Cuban exile Rigoberto Martinez joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Cuban exile Rigoberto Martinez joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Jennifer Santillan reacts as she joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Jennifer Santillan reacts as she joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Esther Ojeda ( left) and Mirlene Gonzalez were among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Esther Ojeda ( left) and Mirlene Gonzalez were among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Esther Zalchendler and Giovanni Gamboa reacted as they joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Esther Zalchendler and Giovanni Gamboa reacted as they joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Olga Berrio was among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Olga Berrio was among a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Jose Matos and his daughter Maria Matos reacted as they joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Jose Matos and his daughter Maria Matos reacted as they joined a group of Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrating outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

City of Doral Police officers guiding the traffic reacted while two men strapped a mannequin depicting Nicolas Maduro in a prisoner jumpsuit as they arrived to a celebration by Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — City of Doral Police officers guiding the traffic reacted while two men strapped a mannequin depicting Nicolas Maduro in a prisoner jumpsuit as they arrived to a celebration by Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Venezuelan exiles living in South Florida celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

From left- Karina Delgado, Pablo Aldana, Tommy Aldana (kid) and Luisa Rodriguez Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida celebrate outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — From left- Karina Delgado, Pablo Aldana, Tommy Aldana (kid) and Luisa Rodriguez Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida celebrate outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Arlette Sosa was among Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida that celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Arlette Sosa was among Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida that celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Teresa Bracamonte was among Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida that celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Teresa Bracamonte was among Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida that celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. — Venezuelans exiles living in South Florida celebrated outside of El Arepazo in Doral, Florida, after the United States attacked Venezuela and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, on Jan. 3, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published January 3, 2026 at 6:59 AM.