Building on initial jubilant reactions from celebrities and journalists, prominent Venezuelan musicians including Danny Ocean, Elena Rose, Rawayana, and Akapellah expressed measured optimism on social media following the U.S. 'Absolute Resolve' operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas on January 3, 2026.
President Donald Trump announced the capture from Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, stating the U.S. would administer Venezuela until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" to democracy. This development prompted guarded responses from the Venezuelan music diaspora, known for advocating against the regime.
Danny Ocean's 2016 hit "Me Rehúso" became an anthem for migrants, and he recently performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, vowing not to return until democracy is restored. He reposted opposition leader María Corina Machado's praise for the U.S. action and call to recognize Edmundo González Urrutia—Machado's barred 2024 election stand-in, now exiled in Spain—as president.
Elena Rose, a Latin Grammy winner who collaborated with Ocean on "Caracas en el 2000," urged prayer on Instagram: "This is a spiritual war. Stand in light."
Singer-songwriter Joaquina posted "Abajo cadenas" (Down with the chains), echoing the national anthem. Rawayana, fresh off a 2025 Grammy for ¿Quién Trae las Cornetas? and Coachella debut, released ¿Dónde Es El After? on New Year's Day. Its opener "Si Te Pica Es Porque Eres Tú" includes: "Feliz año te desea Rawa y que por fin los hijo de putas ya se vayan." They later shared "Tonada por ella," co-written with Servando Primera, featuring archival audio critiquing Venezuela's petro-state.
Their 2024 Latin Grammy-winning hit "Veneka" (feat. Akapellah) prompted Maduro's rebuke and a canceled tour. Akapellah posted directly: "A time of transition is coming. We don’t know how hard it will be, but we all knew we needed it."
