Venezuelan Immigrants in Houston React to US Overthrow of Maduro
Venezuelan immigrants gathered in Katy to celebrate the US overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The celebration took place in the parking lot of a Latin American grocery store, where dozens of Venezuelans waved flags and danced to music.
A New Beginning for Venezuelan Immigrants
Miluixsy Miranda, a 27-year-old Venezuelan immigrant, led a conga line in the parking lot. She came to the US about two and a half years ago, after spending seven years as an immigrant in Panama. Miranda was among the many Venezuelans who gathered to celebrate Maduro’s capture. "Being an immigrant is something that has been really difficult for many of us, but we’re happy – it’s a miracle from God," she said in Spanish.
Houston’s Connection to Venezuela
Houston has deep ties to Venezuela, with the city being home to the third-largest population of Venezuelan immigrants in the US. According to the Migration Policy Institute, there are over 50,000 Venezuelan migrants in the greater metropolitan region. As the headquarters for many major energy companies, Houston could be at the center of American efforts to tap Venezuelan oil reserves in the wake of US intervention.
Mixed Emotions Among Venezuelans
In the immediate aftermath of Maduro’s capture, many Venezuelans in Houston remained cautiously optimistic. Hector Machuca, a 44-year-old Venezuelan immigrant, joined the celebration in Katy with the hope that Maduro’s ousting will lead to a better future for both his home country and the region. "We’re excited because this is the beginning of the end," Machuca said. "This is just the starting of something that is going to be bigger than us."
Protests Against US Intervention
Not everyone in Houston was celebrating, however. On Sunday, January 4, 2026, protesters lined an intersection across the street from the Galleria Mall, waving signs that read "No blood for oil" and "Hands off Venezuela." The protesters chanted, "Not a penny, not a dollar. We won’t pay for war and slaughter." Caleb Kurowski, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, drew comparisons to US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I think we already can see the results of US interventions across the world, and we don’t think that Venezuela will end up any different," Kurowski said.
Different Perspectives on US Intervention
Andres Gomez, whose parents are from Colombia, attended the protest to learn more about different viewpoints. Gomez knows many Venezuelans who fled Maduro’s government and wanted to understand the various reactions to the US intervention. "This is a very complicated issue," Gomez said. "Seeing all the different reactions got me wanting to just come out and see what everybody’s talking about." Travis Lejune, who attended the protest with Gomez, opposes US intervention, which he believes is to blame for dictators like Maduro. "US intervention is what’s causing this," Lejune said. "And so, us coming in and illegally kidnapping the dictator isn’t the answer."
Conclusion
The US overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sparked mixed reactions in Houston, with some Venezuelans celebrating the end of his regime and others protesting US intervention. As the situation in Venezuela continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the transition will play out and what role the US will play in the country’s future. One thing is certain, however: the fate of Venezuela will have a significant impact on the lives of Venezuelan immigrants in Houston and around the world.
