Maduro’s removal raises hopes of return for Venezuelans in South Florida

The American government’s seizure and removal of Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, has instilled hope among Venezuelans and Venezuelan Americans in South Florida that they might be able to return home, residents said. In Doral, a city with a large Venezuelan community often nicknamed “Doralzuela,” people celebrated the capture.

Some described personal yearnings to go back: Dailenys Herrera, 21, said she wants to help rebuild; Virginia Ponte, 75, hopes to visit family without fearing crime and corruption; and Gliver Ordosgoitti, 51, said he would like Venezuelan consulates to reopen and for U.S. airlines to resume direct flights to Caracas.

Few spoke in concrete terms about permanently moving back, and many framed the idea as an embryonic thought. While many welcomed Mr. Maduro’s removal, some world leaders and many Democrats questioned the legality of the American military action and were alarmed when Mr. Trump declared the U.S.

would “run” Venezuela; Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to soften that assertion by saying the administration would keep a military “quarantine” on the country’s oil exports. Protests also arose in several U.S. cities. Crucial questions remain unanswered: what will happen to members of Mr.

Key Topics

Politics, Nicolás Maduro, Doral, Venezuelan Americans, Venezuela, Donald Trump