Maduro's ouster sparks celebrations among Venezuelans in South Florida

DORAL, Fla. (AP) — Revelers chanted “liberty” and draped Venezuelan flags over their shoulders in South Florida on Saturday to celebrate the U.S. military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro and remove him from the country — a stunning outcome they had longed for but left them wondering what comes next in their troubled homeland.

For some Venezuelan natives, the military action — culminating months of stepped-up U.S. pressure — brought their dreams of reuniting with loved ones closer to reality after years of heartbreaking separations.

People gathered for a rally in Doral — the Miami suburb where President Donald Trump has a golf resort and where roughly half the population is of Venezuelan descent — as word spread that Venezuela's now-deposed president had been captured and flown out of the country.

Outside El Arepazo restaurant, a hub of the Venezuelan culture of Doral, one man held a piece of cardboard with “Libertad” scrawled with a black marker. It was a sentiment expressed by other native Venezuelans hoping for a new beginning for their home country as they chanted “Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!"

"We’re like everybody — it’s a combination of feelings, of course," said Alejandra Arrieta, who came to the U.S. in 1997. "There’s fears. There’s excitement. There’s so many years that we’ve been waiting for this. Something had to happen in Venezuela. We all need the freedom.”

For David Nuñez, the regime change offered hope for a long-awaited reunion with loved ones.

Nuñez said he fled to the United States six years ago after being persecuted in Venezuela for his political activism and has not seen his daughters — ages 8 and 17 — since then.

“The most important thing is that we’re going to be able to be with our families soon,” Nuñez said. “At least for me, I haven’t seen my daughters in six years so I have a lot of mixed feelings. I’ve cried a lot. I’m really happy because I know that I’m going to be able to return to Venezuela very soon.”

Trump insisted Saturday that the U.S. government would run the country at least temporarily and was already doing so. The action marked the culmination of an escalating Trump administration pressure campaign on the oil-rich South American nation as well as weeks of planning that tracked Maduro’s behavioral habits.

After Trump’s press conference about U.S. actions in Venezuela, people still gathered outside of the Doral restaurant sang, danced and waved flags. A percussionist drummed along with the singing crowd.

People started gathering outside the restaurant once the news broke. Cooks were told to stay and prepare more food for anticipated high demand. Hundreds showed up, and the crowd kept growing as the day went on.

Alexa Perez said she has waited year for this moment.

“Thanks, President Trump. This is our second liberty. This our independence day from today on,” Perez said.

She married a week ago and said the news was the “best wedding gift” possible.

Her husband, Aldo Amenta, said they were scared, excited and confused at first and felt better when they learned their family members were safe.

“We’re really happy and excited that the doors are open for Venezuela, for all of our people who deserve a chance,” Amenta said.

Perez responded positively to apparent U.S. plans to run Venezuela at least temporarily and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations, saying her homeland has not received anything from Russia, Iran and China.

“We are very poor, we have no hospital, we have no rights for our people,” Perez said. “So I think this is going to be a great transition. Because once you know how the U.S. works, you know that everything can work better.”

About 8 million people have fled the country since 2014, settling first in neighboring countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. After the COVID-19 pandemic, they increasingly set their sights on the United States, walking through the jungle in Colombia and Panama or flying to the U.S. on humanitarian parole with a financial sponsor.

In South Florida, deep-seated concerns in the Venezuelan community about Trump's tough immigration policies gave way to celebrations after Maduro was deposed in the American military operation early Saturday.

In Doral, upper-middle-class professionals and entrepreneurs came to invest in property and businesses when socialist Hugo Chávez won the presidency in the late 1990s. They were followed by political opponents and entrepreneurs who set up small businesses. In recent years, more lower-income Venezuelans have come for work in service industries.

They are doctors, lawyers, beauticians, construction workers and house cleaners. Some are naturalized U.S. citizens or live in the country illegally with U.S.-born children. Others overstay tourist visas, seek asylum or have some form of temporary status.

Niurka Meléndez, who fled from Venezuela in 2015, said Saturday she’s hopeful that Maduro’s ouster will improve life in her homeland. Meléndez immigrated to New York City, where she co-founded the group Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid, which strives to empower the lives of immigrants. She became a steadfast advocate for change in her home country, where she said her countrymen faced a humanitarian crisis.

Now, she hopes those hardships will fade away.

“For us, it’s just the start of the justice we need to see,” Meléndez said in a phone interview.

Her homeland had reached a “breaking point” due to forced displacements, repression, hunger and fear, she said. Now there's a need for international humanitarian support to help in Venezuela's recovery.

“Removing an authoritarian system responsible for these crimes creates the possibility, not a guarantee, but a possibility, for recovery,” she said. “A future without criminal control over institutions is the minimum condition for rebuilding a country based on justice, rule of law, and democratic safeguards.”

Schreiner reported from Shelbyville, Kentucky.

People celebrate after President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Doral, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

People celebrate after President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Doral, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

People celebrate outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Miami, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

People celebrate outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Miami, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

Lorenzo Coppola, 47, and his son Valentino join others to celebrate the news of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro capture in Doral, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vanessa Alvarez)

Alejandra Arrieta, 55, and her dog Bella pose for a photo outside of El Arepazo restaurant to celebrate the news of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro capture in Doral, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vanessa Alvarez)

From left, Venezuelans David Nuñez, Lisbeth Garcia, Victor Gimenez gather outside El Arepazo restaurant with a banner of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado amid celebrations following news of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro capture in Doral, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vanessa Alvarez)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Myles Garrett wanted to get his 23rd sack and set the NFL's single-season record in a victory.

Shedeur Sanders and Andre Szmyt did their part to make sure that became a reality.

After Ja’Marr Chase’s 4-yard touchdown catch gave Cincinnati an 18-17 advantage with 1:29 remaining, Sanders directed a 10-play, 40-yard drive, capped by Szmyt's 49-yard field goal as time expired as the Cleveland Browns rallied to defeat the Bengals 20-18 in the season finale Sunday.

“I think all of our goals are aligned,” said Sanders, who was 3 of 6 for 33 yards on the final drive. “I think the ‘want to’ is to prove that I'm able to drive down the field. I was just excited to be put in a situation again.”

Garrett didn't get his record-setting sack until 4:09 remained in the fourth quarter when he got Cincinnati's Joe Burrow for a 6-yard loss at midfield, surpassing the 22 1/2 by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Burrow was in the shotgun formation on first-and-10 at the Browns 45-yard line.

Garrett said after the game that he dreamed Saturday night that he didn't break the record.

“I was like, 'Well, we’ve got to deny fate.’ Whatever it is we’ve got to make it happen. I just went into it and still had the utmost confidence in myself and my preparation, and in my guys,” Garrett said. "Any time I started thinking I was tired or the fatigue setting in, I thought about that dream. I picked my butt up. It was time to go.”

After the Bengals (6-11) took the lead, the Browns (5-12) got the ball on their 29 with 1:23 remaining. On third-and-10, Isaiah Bond had a 13-yard reception to move the chains. Three plays later, Sanders had an 11-yard completion to Jerry Jeudy with 31 seconds left to get the Browns in Szmyt's range. Dylan Sampson had two carries for 7 yards to get it closer for Szmyt, who drilled it to give Cleveland two straight wins for the first time in two seasons.

It also was a perfect way to cap the season for Szmyt, who missed an extra point and field goal in Cleveland's 17-16 loss to Cincinnati in Week 1.

It also ended up being a routine kick for Szmyt. Both of his extra-point attempts on Sunday were from 48 yards due to the Browns picking up unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on their touchdowns.

“You kind of know how the ball is flying and what you need to do,” said Szmyt, who had a winning 55-yarder on the final play against Green Bay in Week 3. “I just hit one of those earlier. So just stay smooth, hit a clean ball and then the rest of it will do.”

The defense scored both touchdowns for Cleveland — Devin Bush had a 97-yard pick-6 and Sam Webb returned a fumble 47 yards.

It was the 15th time in franchise history the Browns had at least two defensive touchdowns in a game. The last was 2022 at Houston.

“Not exactly how you drew it up, to score twice on defense and for Andre to finish it at the end. I mean, you can’t write a better script than that," Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said. "For Myles Garrett, the way he got it in a really meaningful moment of the game and it came in a win, a great team win. So, I’m proud of those guys.”

Sanders finished 11 of 22 for 111 yards. He also had a fumble in the first quarter that led to Cincinnati’s first touchdown.

Burrow was 29 of 39 for 236 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for Cincinnati.

“We beat ourselves today. False starts, turnovers, mental errors — it certainly wasn’t high-level football today,” Burrow said.

Burrow had a 4-yard TD pass to Chase Brown in the first quarter to give the Bengals a 6-0 lead and a 13-yard pass to Tee Higgins to get them within 14-12 at halftime. Normally reliable kicker Evan McPherson missed both of his extra-point attempts.

Brown had 72 yards rushing and went over the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his three-year career.

Chase had eight receptions for 96 yards, including the TD in the left back corner of the end zone while being covered by Webb. Cleveland's Grant Delpit kept it a one-point game when he broke up Burrow's pass to Mike Gesicki on the 2-point conversion.

“It was a strange game. The defense gives them six points total, two field goals. That’s got to be enough to win," coach Zac Taylor said. “It’s the little things that got us."

Whether or not it was the final game for Stefanski remains unresolved. A decision by owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam on Stefanski’s future is expected Monday.

Stefanski — a two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year — is expected to have interest from other teams if he leaves Cleveland after six seasons and two playoff appearances. He refused to address his future after the game.

“Respectfully, this game is not about me," he said. “I told you guys that. I’m proud of that group for fighting.”

Browns: CB Denzel Ward (neck) left in the first half. ... C Luke Wypler (knee) was injured in the fourth quarter.

Bengals: CB DJ Turner (calf) came out in the fourth quarter.

Browns: Deciding Stefanski's future along with the No. 7 pick.

Bengals: Will have the No. 9 overall pick in the draft.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cedric Johnson, right, sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins celebrates after scoring against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, right, scores against Cleveland Browns cornerback Sam Webb during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt, middle right, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the game winning field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates with defensive end Adin Huntington (98) after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to set an NFL record for sacks in the regular season during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)