BUENOS AIRES January 4, 2026 – Massive crowds of Venezuelan migrants and exiles filled the streets around the iconic Obelisk in downtown Buenos Aires late Saturday, erupting in joyous celebration following news of the US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
A viral video circulating on social media captured the emotional scene from above: thousands of people packed shoulder-to-shoulder around the landmark, waving Venezuelan flags, lighting red flares, and illuminating the area with phone lights as dusk fell. The Obelisk itself was dramatically lit in the colors of the Venezuelan flag — yellow at the top transitioning through blue to red at the base — in a gesture of solidarity organised by city authorities.
“Freedom!” and “At last!” were among the chants heard from the crowd, many of whom have fled Venezuela’s long-running political and economic crisis. Participants described overwhelming relief and hope for their country’s future after years under Maduro’s leadership.
The gathering comes hours after President Donald Trump announced that US forces had successfully extracted Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from Caracas in an overnight operation. Maduro is now in federal custody in New York, facing longstanding US charges related to drug trafficking and corruption.
Buenos Aires, home to one of the largest Venezuelan diaspora communities outside Venezuela itself, has become a focal point for anti-Maduro sentiment. Local officials, including Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri, praised the illumination of the Obelisk as a symbol of support for Venezuelan liberty.
Similar celebrations by Venezuelan communities were reported in other cities across Latin America and Spain, while reactions in Venezuela itself remain mixed amid reports of ongoing unrest.
The dramatic developments mark a major turning point in US-Venezuela relations, with the Trump administration stating it will oversee a transitional process toward new leadership in the oil-rich nation.
About The Author
