Mixed Emotions Among Venezuelan Migrants After Maduro's Ouster

Mon Jan 12 2026 10:35:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The ousting of Nicolás Maduro by the Trump administration has sparked a complex range of emotions among Venezuelans living in the U.S., oscillating between hope and fear regarding their future and the situation back home.

Following the recent military action that removed Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela, many Venezuelans in the U.S. express mixed feelings. While there is joy over his removal, concerns about the still-existing regime and their legal status in the U.S. dominate their thoughts. The uncertainty around returning to a country with lingering threats makes the situation emotionally charged for those who have fled desperation.

NEW YORK (Metaworld.Media) — In the wake of the Trump administration's recent military operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan migrants across the U.S. are grappling with a wave of conflicting emotions. Alejandra Salima, a migrant and advocate based in Miami, shares that many like her are torn between feelings of joy and apprehension.

While the ousting of Maduro is viewed as a 'first step,' the presence of his regime still looms large. Many Venezuelans in the U.S. roam the spectrum of relief, concern, and uncertainty about the future, both for themselves and their families back home.

Among over 770,000 Venezuelans residing in the U.S., reactions to Trump's forceful moves in Venezuela are as varied as their backgrounds. Manuel Coronel, a lawyer who migrated in 2017, expressed happiness about Maduro's removal but remains skeptical, voicing concerns about the remaining criminals still in power.

No Rush to Return

Despite assurances from officials that opportunities are now available in Venezuela, Venezuelans are hesitant to return, with many recounting harrowing experiences of hyperinflation and danger in their homeland. José Luis Rojas, a recent émigré, states, Thank God we’re here, referring to their new life in the U.S. as a source of stability.

As discussions around the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) arise, the worry among Venezuelans is palpable, especially as some feel trapped in a paradox of fear and hope.

With Maduro ousted, Venezuelans are looking for stability in a beginning they hope is different from the past. The urgency of their needs and dreams of a more prosperous Venezuela are increasingly intertwined with whether the U.S. will maintain protective measures for those seeking asylum.

New Lives in the U.S.

About 8 million Venezuelans have fled the country, and those settling in the U.S. are now among the most significant immigrant groups since COVID-19. They have developed new lives but remain uncertain about the future of their homeland under a fragmented political regime.

Many migrants, like Jesus Martinez, perceive life in Venezuela as a closed chapter. They wish for change within their country but are wary of the implications of pressure on immigrants to return.
Moreover, as new regulations threaten TPS and legal status, some migrants advocate for the right to choose if and when to return.

Celebrations of Maduro's ousting are muted by the hesitations to fully commit to a home that still harbors fear. As Jorge Galicia succinctly put it, The reason we’re here is because there was a horrible regime that forced millions of us to leave. Everyone deserves to have the choice of returning home.