Doral Mayor Christi Fraga gathered with the crowd and spoke with the media.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
As the world reacts to the news of Saturday morning’s U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, domestic attention has turned to Doral, home to one of the highest concentrations of Venezuelan-Americans in the country.
Shortly after President Donald Trump’s 4 a.m. announcement, a crowd began to gather at the gas station outside the city’s popular El Arepazo restaurant. The crowd grew throughout the day, with those gathered singing the Venezuelan national anthem through tears and cheers.
Doral Mayor Christi Fraga also made an appearance, gathering with the crowd and speaking to the media. She’s one of several politicians who have expressed support for the ouster of Maduro. On Saturday, Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. María Elvira Salazar celebrated the capture, calling Maduro a “narco-terrorist.” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whose district includes Weston, also a Venezuelan enclave, said the capture was “welcome news for my friends and neighbors who fled his violent, lawless, and disastrous rule.” But she also questioned “why Congress and the American people were bypassed in this effort.” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava shared similar sentiments, adding that “taking military action without congressional approval or bipartisan briefings is deeply concerning, as a precedent has been set.”
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But outside El Arepazo, the mood was decidedly jovial. The crowd pulled out their Trump hats and posters reading “Women for Trump” and “Miami-Dade Loves Trump.” Others draped themselves in Venezuelan, American, and even Cuban flags. Here’s a look at what transpired.
The crowd sang the Venezuelan national anthem.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
Many could be seen recording the rally and taking photos for social media.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
“Thank you, Trump,” read one sign.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
On the other side: “Thank you, Lord.”
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
“Venezuela Libre,” read one t-shirt.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
Many wore soccer shirts and other clothing featuring the Venezuelan flag.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
If you didn’t bring a Venezuelan flag with you, you could get one.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
The crowd waved Venezuelan and American flags.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
But mostly Venezuelan flags.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
More singing.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
This puppy attended the rally, too.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
One man draped his body in a crocheted American flag.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg
And one woman wore a ball gown depicting the Cuban flag.
Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg