MIAMI — Flags flew and people gathered on Saturday outside Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The chants and cheers reflected the emotion and passion of those celebrating. Dozens came together at the Little Havana restaurant after learning of the overnight strikes that led to Maduro’s arrest.
“To be able to celebrate the operation that the U.S. government carried out today is phenomenal,” said Jorge Jaen of the Venezuelan American Republican Club.
State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Fla., added, “With the blast, with the precision strikes, and the pictures we saw of Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs, surrounded by U.S. Army members and military personnel -- something that I think many of us will remember for the rest of our lives.”
During the celebration, President Donald Trump addressed the nation, prompting attendees to hold phones to their ears to hear every word.
“The big takeaway is the president is going to occupy Venezuela for the next few months until they have fair and free elections,” said attendee Frank Lago. “Once and for all.”
Among the crowd was Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez.
When asked by Local 10’s Aaron Maybin what constituents should take away from the president’s actions, Gimenez said, “I think Marco Rubio said it best: when this president tells you he’s going to do something, he’s going to do something. He’s not kidding around.”
Jaen added that Maduro’s capture was just the beginning.
“This doesn’t stop here because they took out Maduro,” he added. “It’s like a table has four legs. There are still three more legs that need to go in order for Venezuela to really be free.”
For now, the crowd at Versailles continues to watch developments closely, uncertain how the situation in Venezuela will unfold.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
