(NewsNation) — Many Venezuelans around the world rejoiced when news broke U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend.
Niurka Melendez and Hector Arguinzones, Venezuelan immigrants living in New York City and founders of nonprofit Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid, joined “NewsNation Live” on Tuesday to discuss their reactions to Maduro’s capture.
Melendez told NewsNation they both applied for asylum and fled Venezuela in 2015 because of persecution due to their “political thoughts.”
Since 2014, some 7.7 million Venezuelans, or 20% of the population, have left the country, unable to afford food or seeking better opportunities abroad, according to the U.N. International Organization for Migration.
Venezuelans living in Peru celebrate at the Miguel de Cervantes park, near the Venezuelan Embassy in Lima on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP via Getty Images) 
Venezuelans living in Peru celebrate outside the Venezuelan Embassy in Lima on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP via Getty Images) 
A Venezuelan woman living in Peru celebrates with a national flag at the Miguel de Cervantes park, near the Venezuelan Embassy in Lima on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP via Getty Images)
Arguinzones said that “a majority” of Venezuelans felt a sense of “relief” and “hope” following Maduro’s capture, adding that many want to see a “prosperous and free country again.”
Melendez said she wants to “be a part of those who are … willing to build our country.”
Several questions remain regarding Venezuela’s future, the transition of power and the role of the international community.
Reuters contributed to this report.