Venezuelans in Florida begin to consider returning: What if we go back?'

"In South Florida, home to most members of the Venezuelan diaspora in the United States, a question that recently seemed unthinkable is now being asked: What if we go back? The capture of Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2026, has shaken not only Venezuelan politics, but also the daily lives of thousands of migrants from that country who have embraced the United States as their permanent home."

"I was notified at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. that they were bombing Caracas. I made myself coffee because I knew I wasn't going to sleep anymore, he recalls. In the middle of the night, he met with part of the political team. The news of Maduro's capture was, for him, a fundamental step that marks the beginning of a transition, which is still fragile, but inevitable."

South Florida hosts most members of the Venezuelan diaspora in the United States. Nicolas Maduro's capture on January 3, 2026, has shaken Venezuelan politics and the daily lives of thousands who made the United States their home. Almost a month after Maduro's fall, returning to Venezuela feels like a real possibility for many, though uncertainty persists. Edgar Simon Rodriguez fled the Chavista regime and has lived in the United States seven years organizing for Vente Venezuela in exile. He stayed awake the night of January 3 after alerts of bombing in Caracas, met with his political team, and says he would return only if the regime falls and repressive agencies are dismantled.

Read at english.elpais.com