In the aftermath of the January 3, 2026, U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, thousands of Venezuelans abroad rallied in cities across the Americas and Europe, waving flags and demanding transition, while Chavista supporters protested in Caracas calling for his return.
Following the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores—detailed in prior coverage—and President Trump's announcement of temporary U.S. oversight until a peaceful transition, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as key interlocutor, reactions from Venezuelan communities intensified.
Exiles gathered en masse: In Miami, a hub for Venezuelans, crowds joined Cuban and Nicaraguan expatriates, singing the national anthem amid confusion over Rodríguez's role. Madrid saw flag-waving demonstrations, while in Latin America, hundreds filled Bogotá's Plaza de Bolívar, Buenos Aires' Obelisk (echoing earlier celebrations), Panama City, La Paz, and Santa Cruz. In Chile, protests lit up Santiago's Parque Almagro and Estación Central with banners envisioning Venezuela's future.
Conversely, in Caracas, Chavista groups marched near Palacio de Miraflores with images of Maduro and Hugo Chávez. Mayor Carmen Meléndez, on state TV, demanded a 'proof of life' and labeled the U.S. action a 'hostile attack,' vowing ongoing mobilizations.
As proceedings continue amid political uncertainty, these protests highlight deepening global divides over Venezuela's path forward.
