Venezuelans are reacting in very mixed ways right now: some people are celebrating, but many inside the country are anxious, cautious, or keeping a low profile rather than openly partying.

What is happening right now?

  • News that NicolĂĄs Maduro has been captured by U.S. forces has sparked visible celebrations among many Venezuelans abroad, especially in large diaspora hubs like South Florida and parts of Latin America.
  • Inside Venezuela, reports describe mostly quiet streets, long lines at supermarkets and pharmacies, and a tense, uncertain mood rather than nationwide public festivities.

Are people in Venezuela celebrating?

  • Some Maduro opponents in Caracas have celebrated discreetly, for example by playing music or cheering from balconies instead of gathering in large street demonstrations, because they fear possible reprisals.
  • At the same time, groups of Maduro supporters have rallied near the presidential palace demanding his release, showing that a portion of the population is not celebrating at all.

Where are the biggest celebrations?

  • The loudest and most visible celebrations are coming from Venezuelan communities abroad, such as crowds waving flags, singing the national anthem, and shouting slogans in places like Doral (“Doralzuela”) in South Florida and other cities with large Venezuelan diasporas.
  • In neighboring countries like Colombia, people have also gathered to celebrate the news of Maduro’s capture, reflecting regional frustration with his government and solidarity with Venezuelan migrants.

How does this fit with recent trends?

  • Even before this latest development, the Maduro government had often pushed early or extended Christmas-style festivities in Venezuela, partly to encourage a celebratory, hopeful atmosphere despite a long-running economic and political crisis.
  • That history of “official celebration” contrasts sharply with the current mood, where uncertainty about what comes after Maduro and fear of instability are making many inside Venezuela more cautious than jubilant.

TL;DR:

  • Venezuelans abroad: clearly celebrating in the streets. 🎉
  • Inside Venezuela: some quiet or private celebrations, open support rallies for Maduro, and a lot of tension and uncertainty rather than a big public party.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.