Large crowds of Venezuelans living abroad poured onto the streets of major cities around the world on Saturday to celebrate the removal of President Nicolás Maduro, following a U.S. military operation that ended his rule. The celebrations marked a historic moment for the Venezuelan diaspora, which has grown to nearly eight million people due to years of economic hardship, political repression, and social instability under Maduro’s administration.
In Santiago, Chile, thousands gathered in central areas of the capital, waving Venezuelan flags and dressed in the nation’s colours of yellow, blue, and red. The atmosphere was jubilant, with chants, music, dancing, and emotional embraces filling the streets. Many participants expressed hope that they could finally return to their homeland.
“For the first time, we can truly think about going back home,” said street vendor Yurimar Rojas, struggling to be heard above the cheering crowd. “At last, Venezuela will be free.”
Maduro, whose re-election claims in 2018 and 2024 were widely rejected by international observers as illegitimate, was detained during an early-morning U.S. military operation. He is expected to be transferred to New York to face drug trafficking charges. For Venezuelans living abroad, the news represented a turning point after years of uncertainty and displacement.
“This means everything to us,” said Yasmery Gallardo, 61, who has lived in Chile for eight years. “I am already planning my return. I never thought I would see this day.” The celebrations in Chile also highlighted deeper anxieties within the migrant community. Many Venezuelans there have faced uncertainty amid political rhetoric from Chile’s president-elect, José Antonio Kast, who has pledged to deport undocumented migrants, including large numbers of Venezuelans.
In the United States, thousands gathered in Miami, singing, chanting, and kissing the Venezuelan flag. Some openly praised President Donald Trump for the operation. “Today, the dreams of Venezuelans abroad finally came true,” said Ana Gonzalez, one of the celebrants. Others described the moment as deeply personal. “I have waited twenty-seven years for this,” said Anabela Ramos. “Now it has finally happened.”
Similar scenes unfolded in Europe. In Madrid, home to roughly 400,000 Venezuelans, large crowds filled public squares, chanting “He is gone” and “The dictatorship has fallen,” as many wrapped themselves in the national flag. “I came here to celebrate our freedom,” said Pedro Marcano, 47, who left Venezuela eleven years ago. “I want to go home, but first we need to see how things unfold.”
Despite the celebrations, uncertainty still surrounds Venezuela’s immediate future. President Trump stated that the United States would oversee the country’s affairs temporarily until a new leadership structure is established. According to Trump, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has indicated a willingness to engage with Washington, while opposition leader María Corina Machado lacks sufficient internal support to assume power.
Rodríguez, however, later declared in a public address that Maduro remains Venezuela’s “only president” and insisted the government is prepared to defend the country. At the Madrid rally, a recorded message from Machado was played to the crowd, prompting a moment of silence. “Venezuela will be free,” she said, drawing emotional reactions from attendees, some of whom wiped away tears as they embraced.
The celebrations highlighted both the resilience and hope of Venezuelans living abroad, who have endured years of displacement, economic instability, and uncertainty. While joy and relief dominated the streets, the future of the country remains uncertain, and questions linger about how the transition of power will unfold and what it will mean for millions of Venezuelans still living under political and economic hardship at home.
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