Venezuelan Trump supporters gather near Mar-a-Lago after US operation: 'Have been waiting for this'

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: On Saturday, January 3, a crowd of Donald Trump supporters showed up near Mar-a-Lago, waving flags and looking fired up about the latest news of the US’ operation in Venezuela.

This all happened after the presdient shocked the country by launching a US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. The move has stirred up debate across the country, but it’s clearly fired up his base.

Supporters 'happy' with Trump’s Venezuela operation

The Palm Beach Post originally talked to people at Mar-a-Lago about their reactions to the US operation and the capture of Maduro.

“I’ve been waiting for this for so many years,” Venezuelan American Miriam Hidalgo told The Palm Beach Post near Mar-a-Lago, where she joined other supporters celebrating what they believe is a turning point for Venezuela.

“After 30 years living in this country, to see the government doing something so wonderful, it makes me so happy,” she added.

Hidalgo, who grew up in Venezuela and moved to the US in 1995 before Hugo Chavez rose to power, said she left because she sensed the country was heading toward instability.

Hidalgo credited Trump for what she described as decisive action against Maduro’s government. 

“I give him my vote. I always believed in his power to control the government,” she said. “This is the right way.”

She also credited Trump for being helpful and said, “Without this help, there will be no change. Without help, Venezuela will never be free. Just like Cuba.”

Both supporters and critics gathered outside Mar-a-Lago

Passing cars honked, people clapped, and the whole place buzzed with energy.

A lot of people talked about the big news from Venezuela: Maduro getting taken into US custody that morning.

For them, it felt like a turning point. They saw it as proof that the US is changing the way it deals with Latin America, and honestly, they took it as a win for Trump’s take on foreign policy.

Paula McCleese, 74, of Palm Beach Gardens, said she wore diamond earrings to protest Trump as an act of celebration. 

“Because he's proved his a**,” she said. “He has totally proved who he is and what he's going to do. He's running roughshod over the American people, and they're letting him.”

McCleese joined eight other protesters outside Mar-a-Lago, facing off against a much bigger crowd of Trump supporters decked out in MAGA hats and waving Venezuelan flags.

Trump and his allies have touted the capture of Maduro as a major geopolitical win.

The Mar-a-Lago gathering also intersected with celebrations among some Venezuelan expatriates in South Florida, who expressed relief and hope after years of repression under Maduro’s regime.