In Florida’s ‘Little Venezuela’, joy and uncertainty after Maduro’s fall

For years, Florida resident Rosana Mateos dreamed of the fall of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

“I always dreamed of discovering it early in the morning,” said the Venezuelan expat, who has lived in the United States since 2012. “We always thought that if anything was going to happen, it would be then.”

Before dawn on Saturday, U.S. special forces raided Maduro’s residence and took him and his wife away.

“My phone was off and I was sleeping,” Ms. Mateos recalled. “But then my husband woke me up and told me they caught Maduro. I couldn’t believe it.”

Hours later, she was among hundreds of Venezuelan expats and Venezuelan Americans who gathered in the Miami suburb of Doral — the center of South Florida’s Venezuelan community — to celebrate.

More than 40% of Doral’s residents are of Venezuelan descent, the largest concentration in the United States. Many fled economic hardship and insecurity in their countries after Maduro came to power in 2013, while others fled that of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

A significant number of people fiercely oppose Maduro – and it showed on the streets of Doral.

Even before the sun rose Saturday, many people gathered at El Arepazo, a Venezuelan restaurant and community center in the area. By midday, the crowd had swelled to hundreds, blaring music, chanting, motorists honking horns and waving flags on nearby roads.

Many have expressed relief that Maduro, whom they blame for Venezuela’s economic and political woes, is no longer in power.

Among them was Bryan Marquez, a native of the agriculturally rich Venezuelan state of Tachira on the country’s western border with Colombia. Mr. Marquez, who emigrated only two years ago, becomes emotional when talking about his home.

“I don’t even know how to express this in words,” he told the BBC, speaking Spanish with the fast-paced, melodic Venezuelan accent. “We suffered under them [Maduro]. It was humiliating. This is why so many of us are leaving. The economic situation was bad, there was insecurity. We just wanted a better life. »

Like many at the celebrations in Doral, Mr. Marquez believes that one man is responsible for giving many Venezuelan exiles what they wanted: U.S. President Donald Trump.

“It’s an indescribable feeling,” he added, emotion clearly audible in his voice. “He really helped us…I don’t know what to say except thank you.”

Others see Maduro’s abrupt and violent exit from Venezuelan politics as perhaps an opportunity.

“Trump really did this for the Venezuelan people,” said Luis Atristain, 21, who, although born in Miami, spent part of his youth in Venezuela.

Mr. Atristain – wearing a red Make America Great Again hat – said he expects Maduro’s fall will bring economic relief to millions of Venezuelans after years of hyperinflation and shortages.

“Venezuela is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of resources,” he explained. “They [the US] will come in, restart the industry. Oil alone is worth billions, if not billions. This will help the country rebuild. »

Many Venezuelans in the United States, he predicts, will return home.

“There will be money flowing in,” he said. “There will be plenty of opportunities.”

Although mostly elated about Maduro’s fall, some Venezuelans in Doral also expressed uncertainty about what might happen next.

Confusion mounted Saturday during Trump’s press conference. He said the United States “is going to lead” Venezuela through “a team that works with the Venezuelan people to make sure Venezuela is right.”

“I don’t know what that means, or what level of involvement,” said Ana Maria, a Doral resident. “We’ll see. But for now, we’re just happy that Maduro is gone.”

Even more surprising to some was Trump’s remark that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado “does not have the support or respect within the country” to govern.

Ms. Mateos, for example, chafed at the idea that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez or any other member of the Maduro regime would play a role in Venezuela’s future.

In a televised speech Saturday, Rodriguez said she would be open to working with the United States in the future.

“I hope it’s very clear [to the Trump administration]. We do not accept the government of Delcy Rodriguez, nor that of anyone who was part of the Maduro regime,” said Mateos.

“They are dirty and corrupt. We support María Corina Machado, as well as [former opposition candidate] Edmundo Gonzalez. This is what the Venezuelan people want, and we have already said it at the polls. »

Mr. Marquez, for his part, said he and his friends remained doubtful of Rodriguez.

“Members of the Venezuelan government also have relatives outside the country,” he said of Rodriguez. “But for them it’s different. They have the power. They didn’t struggle like us.”

As the sun began to set on the celebrations in Doral, some expressed doubts about the ability of Venezuela’s main players – Machado, Rodriguez or Gonzalez – to govern effectively in the short term.

“None of them will be able to take power,” said a local marketing professional named Elkin, who declined to give his last name.

“Donald Trump will have to do it for now…he will be the one to move Venezuela towards a more inclusive transition.”