Venezuelan expatriates in Santiago, Chile, gathered in the streets following reports concerning the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. These reports cited an announcement by US President Donald Trump, stating that President Maduro had been captured and subsequently transported out of the country. Participants displayed both American and Venezuelan flags during the street gatherings.
The reported events occurred amidst a substantial Venezuelan diaspora present across various countries in South America and the United States. Amnesty International estimated in 2023 that approximately one in four Venezuelans had departed their home country for foreign nations since 2018. Within Chile, the Venezuelan expatriate population is estimated to be around 500,000 individuals. During the gatherings in Santiago, an individual was observed spraying foam from a can.
Concurrently, in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, groups identified as supporters of President Maduro convened in the streets to protest against alleged US strikes.