TAMPA, Fla. — Florida is home to the largest population of Venezuelans in the U.S.

Celebrations have been happening in the streets of Doral in South Florida since the news broke Saturday that the U.S. had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

What You Need To Know

The U.S. carried out a military operation in Venezuela on Jan. 3 that involved the capture of its president, Nicolás Maduro
Some Tampa Bay Venezuelans are expressing happiness after Maduro’s capture, as well as some in the Cuban community
Comandito Tampa member Norma Reno said that although many are celebrating, the battle is not over yet for those back in Venezuela
Many of the Venezuelans who live in the Bay area said they’re now turning to the Trump administration, hoping that it will help piece the country back together

Tampa Bay also has a large community of Venezuelans who are anxiously watching what will happen next.

“Happiness” is how the Venezuelan community is describing this moment, but as they celebrate that freedom, they’re also feeling uncertain about what’s next for Venezuela.

“Knowing that this is the beginning of the end of this regime in Venezuela, we will never forget this day,” said Norma Reno.

She said it’s been a long time coming, fighting for Venezuela’s freedom from Maduro.

She’s part of Comandito Tampa, an organization that has been fighting for a free Venezuela for years.

“I would say that 90% of the people, maybe more, are so happy,” she said.

Reno said Maduro’s capture has meant a path forward for many. 

While the news was met with a lot of excitement from her fellow Venezuelans, she said the battle is not over yet for those back in Venezuela.

“They are afraid,” Reno said. “They cannot talk, they cannot say anything — everything is in secret because the regime is still there.”

She said more needs to be done to ensure the state of Venezuela is fixed. But it’s also giving hope to people from countries like Cuba.

“The liberty of Venezuela, I celebrate it as if it were the liberty of Cuba,” said Roberto Pizano, a former Cuban political prisoner.

He said the U.S. has changed a community for the better.

“What happened and what’s going to happen is necessary to help our Latin American countries choose a path of democracy and peace,” Pizano said.

Reno said a lot of work needs to be done, but she’s staying positive.

“I trust that something good is going to happen to Venezuela,” she said.

Many of the Venezuelans who live in the Bay area said they’re now turning to the Trump administration, hoping that it will help piece the country back together.