- Immigrant Times
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
The US capture of President Maduro condemned globally but is celebrated by Venezuela’s diaspora
Across South America, home to the largest share of Venezuelan migrants worldwide, celebrations among Venezuelan communities unfolded against a backdrop of sharply divided government responses.
Mexico and Canada condemn America's Venezuelan adventure
The Immigrant Times
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro (centre) in US custody, while Venezuelan immigrants in Argentina celebrate his downfall. (Photos: US government; AFP)
January 2026: On 3 January 2026, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured in a US military operation in Caracas, and before being transferred to the United States, where he is expected to face federal charges related to drug trafficking and other allegations. The operation has prompted international debate, with several governments and legal experts questioning its legality under international law, while others have welcomed the outcome.
For Venezuelan migrants and refugees around the world, the news triggered strong emotional reactions. In multiple countries across the Americas and Europe, members of the Venezuelan diaspora gathered in public spaces to celebrate what many see as the end of a political era that drove them into exile.
A decade of Venezuelan emigration
The reactions of Venezuelans abroad are rooted in one of the world’s largest displacement crises in recent history. Since 2014, an estimated 7.7 million Venezuelans have left their country, fleeing economic collapse, hyperinflation, shortages of food and medicine, and political repression under the governments of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.
The majority have remained in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina, while significant communities have also formed in the United States and Europe, especially in Spain. For many migrants, exile has lasted years and involved prolonged legal uncertainty, economic hardship, and separation from family members who remained in Venezuela.
The global Venezuelan diaspora celebrates
In Europe, Venezuelan communities reacted swiftly. In Spain, which hosts one of the largest Venezuelan populations outside Latin America, large crowds assembled in central locations in Madrid, waving Venezuelan flags and celebrating in the streets. Similar gatherings were reported in other Spanish cities, reflecting Spain’s central role as a destination for Venezuelans fleeing economic collapse and political repression over the past decade.
In the United States, Venezuelan communities in South Florida, Texas, and other urban centres also marked the news publicly. In cities such as Houston and Miami, Venezuelan migrants gathered with national flags, expressing relief and hope that political change in Venezuela might eventually allow for return or family reunification.
Mexico condemns America’s Venezuelan adventure and cites the UN charter
Since the news of Nicolás Maduro’s capture emerged, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a clear and consistent response on behalf of her government that emphasises sovereignty, non-intervention and peaceful resolution, reflecting long-standing pillars of Mexican foreign policy.
Sheinbaum and the Mexican government have strongly condemned the US military operation that led to Maduro’s arrest, characterising it as a violation of international law and as inconsistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Mexico’s official statements described the actions as a 'military intervention' that risks regional stability and undermines sovereign equality among nations.
The Mexican administration has also invoked the Estrada Doctrine, a foreign-policy principle dating back to 1930 that opposes judging the legitimacy of foreign governments and instead prioritises national sovereignty and non-intervention. Sheinbaum reiterated that this doctrine guides Mexico’s approach, alongside the constitutional commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and respect for international norms.
In remarks to the press and in official communications, Sheinbaum emphasised that Mexico maintains cooperation with the United States on issues such as security and counter-narcotics, but underscored that such cooperation must not involve subordination or foreign interference. She framed the bilateral relationship as one of ‘collaboration and coordination, but not subordination’, stressing that Mexico is a sovereign nation whose foreign policy decisions are independently determined.
In addition to criticising the U.S. operation, Mexican officials have called for multilateral mechanisms to address the Venezuelan crisis. Mexico affirmed its support for dialogue, negotiation and diplomatic engagement over military action, and stated willingness to work with regional and international partners, including the United Nations, to prevent further escalation and protect civilian lives.
Sheinbaum’s statements also explicitly rejected the notion that the controversy surrounding Venezuela should set a precedent for military action in Mexico, asserting that any direct intervention on Mexican territory is ‘not an option’ and reinforcing constitutional principles of non-intervention.
South America’s response to events in Venezuela is split
Across South America, home to the largest share of Venezuelan migrants worldwide, celebrations among Venezuelan communities unfolded against a backdrop of sharply divided government responses.
In Chile, where Venezuelans represent the country’s largest migrant groups, gatherings took place in Santiago and other cities, with participants celebrating in public parks and central neighbourhoods. These scenes contrasted with the position of the current Chilean government, which criticised the US military intervention and reiterated its commitment to international law and non-intervention.
At the same time, José Antonio Kast, Chile’s president-elect, who is scheduled to take office in March, welcomed Maduro’s capture and framed it as a positive development for regional stability and democratic restoration. The contrasting statements highlighted internal political divisions within Chile as well as broader regional disagreements.
Brazil’s official response to the US military action in Venezuela has been strongly critical. The country’s President Lula da Silva called the American intervention a flagrant violation of international law. “The action represents the first step towards a world of violence, chaos and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.”
Among the half a million Venezuelans living in Brazil, the reaction to events in their home country has been more muted than in other parts of South America. Social media postings express some joy but also caution about what comes next.
In Argentina, Venezuelan migrants gathered in Buenos Aires, including near well-known public landmarks, to celebrate the news. Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a close ally of President Trump, publicly welcomed the US action, aligning himself with a group of regional leaders who have long opposed the Maduro government and viewed his removal as a necessary step toward political change in Venezuela.
Elsewhere in the region, Venezuelan communities in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia also reacted publicly. In Lima and Quito, migrants gathered in smaller groups to celebrate and reflect on the significance of the moment. In Bogotá, reactions were more mixed, reflecting both Colombia’s proximity to Venezuela and the scale of Venezuelan migration it has absorbed in recent years.
Early reactions from inside Venezuela
Information from inside Venezuela remains limited and fragmented in the immediate aftermath of the operation. Initial reports suggest a heavy security presence in Caracas and other major cities, along with small demonstrations by supporters of the former government. Other accounts indicate a cautious and subdued public mood, with many Venezuelans waiting to see how the political situation develops.
Given the rapidly evolving circumstances, a comprehensive picture of public opinion inside Venezuela has yet to emerge.
For Venezuelans living abroad, the capture of Nicolás Maduro represents a significant moment after years of displacement. Whether it leads to a meaningful political transition, improved living conditions inside Venezuela, or opportunities for return remains unclear.
Sources:
El País (Spain) – Coverage of Nicolás Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces and global reactions.
Reuters – Reporting on international government responses, including Brazil’s Lula, Argentina’s Milei, and Chile’s positions.
AP News – Reporting on celebrations among Venezuelan migrants in South Florida and the US diaspora communities.
ABC News (Australia) – Overview of Venezuelan diaspora reactions worldwide, including celebrations and divisions.
OCCRP – Visual and narrative reporting on reactions from Lima, Buenos Aires, Madrid and beyond after Maduro’s capture.
Today RTL – Summary of global governmental reactions to the US operation and Maduro’s capture.
Time – Global reactions to the US military intervention, including positions of the EU and major governments.
Infobae (Spanish, Argentina) – Regional analysis of how Latin American governments have responded to the US operation.
Further reading: Venezuela’s María Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize || Immigration in South America || Venezuelan immigrants boost the economies of their host countries ||
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