'We are free, we are happy': Venezuelans celebrate capture of Maduro

Venezuelans around the world are celebrating the capture of President Nicolas Maduro after he was flown out of the country and indicted on drugs charges in the United States. 

More than eight million citizens have fled Venezuela since 2014 due to rampant violence, inflation, gang warfare and shortages of food and medicine.  

As a result, the country has been left facing one of the largest displacement crises in the world, according to the United Nations. 

So while Maduro's capture sent shockwaves around the world, jubilant Venezuelans spilled out onto the streets today to welcome the news with singing and dancing. 

Many were pictured holding both US and Venezuelan flags in a gesture to Donald Trump, who ordered the special forces operation to capture Maduro. 

One person celebrating in Chile said: 'I've come to celebrate because the dictatorship has fallen, Maduro's drug trafficking has fallen, and Nicolas Maduro and Diosdado Cabello. 

'We are free, we are all happy that the dictatorship has fallen and that we have a free country.'

Another in Doral, Florida, added: 'Today, justice is being served. Justice is being served for all the Venezuelans who left our country to demonstrate who we are. 

'We are fighters, we entrepreneurs, we are good people but we want to return to our country and rebuild, move forward and continue being that force that we have always been. 

'Long live Venezuela.'

Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were seized by the US Army's elite Delta Force unit during airstrikes in Caracas at around 2am local time on Saturday. 

Explosions rang out across the city, with flames seen billowing into the air.

Speaking to The New York Times, nine minutes after he announced the raid, Trump said: 'A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people.

'It was a brilliant operation, actually.' Asked if he had consulted Congress prior to authorizing the strike, Trump said: 'We'll discuss that.'

The security-conscious Maduros were having their location tracked by the CIA in the days leading up to their capture, CNN reported.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded 'proof of life,' suggesting he fears Maduro and Flores may have been killed during the operation.

And the country's attorney general Tarek William Saab said: 'Innocent victims have been mortally wounded and others killed by this criminal terrorist attack.'

He called for peaceful protests.

No details have been shared on the number of people killed or wounded during the Delta Force strike.

President Trump says Maduro and his government have conspired to flood the United States with illegal drugs.

Maduro was indicted in 2020, during Trump's first term as president, on charges of importing cocaine into the United States.

Trump offered a $15million reward for his arrest at the time.

That rose to $25million during the final days of former President Joe Biden's administration and was doubled to $50million in August 2025 after Trump began his second term as president.

Trump alleges Maduro is leader of a drug running organization called Cartel de los Soles and has designated the group a foreign terrorist organization.

On Saturday morning, United States Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro 'will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts'.

She said Maduro will face multiple weapons charges in addition to the drug counts he is facing.

Saturday's capture sparked international shockwaves. Maduro's government branded the United States 'cowardly' for its capture of their leader. 

Russia, a key ally of Venezuela, suggested the United States may have broken international law with its capture of Maduro.

A foreign ministry spokesperson said: 'We are extremely concerned by reports that Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife were forcibly removed from the country during today’s aggressive actions by the United States.

'We call for immediate clarification of this situation.'

In recent weeks, the US has been blowing up suspected drug boats sailing through the eastern Pacific Ocean with ties to Venezuela.

Maduro is said to have increased his security in recent weeks and slept in a different bed every night to try and evade attempts to capture him.

The seized leader, who leads the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, was elected in 2013.

He has been branded a corrupt authoritarian who has presided over the economic collapse of his nation, rigged subsequent elections and crushed dissenters.

Trump announced Maduro's capture on his Truth Social media platform early Saturday, writing: 'The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.

'This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.'