T-shirts depicting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as “captured” are being sold across Dallas-area social media, turning a rapidly unfolding political moment into a local commerce trend among Venezuelan communities in North Texas.
The shirts, advertised primarily through Facebook groups, feature images of Maduro alongside the word “Captured,” often paired with phrases such as “Venezuela Libre” and dates tied to recent political developments.
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Sellers list prices ranging from about $15 to $25 and offer local pickup in Dallas and nearby cities.
According to 2024 U.S. Census data, 193,519 Venezuelans, or about 17% of the Venezuelans in the U.S., reside in Texas. The state has the second-largest share of Venezuelans in the U.S. after Florida.
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About 30% of these residents live in North Texas, and are spread across the counties of Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton.
The merchandise began circulating after President Donald Trump and the U.S. government announced on Saturday morning that U.S. forces had captured Maduro during a military operation.
A promotional image shared online shows t-shirts featuring Venezuelan political imagery and dates tied to recent events , offered by a Dallas-based seller.
Photo courtesy Karina Rodriguez
One Dallas-area seller said the shirts were created as a form of expression rather than provocation.
“I decided to sell these shirts as a way to express solidarity and support for the Venezuelan community,” said Karina Rodriguez, the owner of Manos de mi tierra, a Dallas-based business that sells personalized products and art inspired by Latin American culture.
Rodriguez said the designs draw on symbols commonly associated with Venezuela, including national colors, references to freedom and dates that carry meaning within the community.
“The idea was not to promote violence, but to reflect a collective sentiment and a social cause through art and entrepreneurship,” Rodriguez said.
According to the seller, the shirts have been purchased by customers in Dallas and other cities, and responses have been supportive.
“Many people have written to say they feel represented,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said her goal was to create products that resonate with community members during a moment of uncertainty, rather than to take a political position.
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