Venezuelans React to Machado's Nobel Win Amid Deportation Fears

Thu Oct 16 2025 22:15:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

While Maria Corina Machado's recognition with the Nobel Peace Prize is welcomed in the Venezuelan community of Doral, Florida, concerns about deportation threats loom due to recent U.S. immigration policies. Many express mixed feelings about her victory.

In Doral, Florida, known as 'Little Venezuela,' the community celebrates Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Peace Prize win amidst anxiety over the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. With over 700,000 at risk of deportation, the community feels conflicted as Machado aligns with Trump’s hardline policies on immigration. Her acknowledgment from the Nobel committee is bittersweet for those who rely on legal protections to remain in the U.S.

DORAL, Fla. (AP) — The Venezuelan community in Doral, also known as Little Venezuela, is responding with mixed emotions to the announcement of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado winning the Nobel Peace Prize, greeting the news with both joy and concern due to looming deportation threats.

Under the Trump administration, the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole programs has left over 700,000 Venezuelans facing potential deportation after legally living and working in the U.S. Recently, the administration has deported hundreds of Venezuelans under the claim they were part of the Tren de Aragua gang and posed a threat.

The United Nations estimates that over 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled their home country over the last decade due to severe economic and political instability. The exodus marks the largest migration in Latin America in recent memory. The majority have resettled in the Americas, with more than one million seeking refuge in the U.S.

Despite the celebratory tone surrounding Machado's Nobel win, the reality is daunting for those at risk of deportation, particularly since Machado's views have aligned with Trump's Venezuelan policies, which have not favored leniency towards migrants. While we feel proud, we also feel the tension of our current situation, shared one member of the community.

After the Supreme Court allowed the TPS program's cancellation, Machado expressed her commitment to advocating for alternative protections for Venezuelans in the U.S., but many remain skeptical about tangible support from U.S. lawmakers.

Machado dedicated her Nobel Prize to the Venezuelan people and praised Trump's role in supporting their democratic pursuit. This sentiment was echoed by Frank Carreño, a former chamber of commerce president. He underscored the concern that Machado might not pressure the current administration for relief for Venezuelans residing in the U.S.

Still, some, like José Antonio Colina, a retired military officer, believe this recognition could bolster efforts to uproot Maduro's regime. Others, like Iris Wilthew, were disheartened to see subdued celebrations within their community in Doral, which is typically vibrant with cultural pride.

As Machado's win highlights both the struggle for democracy in Venezuela and the precarious status of many Venezuelans in the U.S., the community is left hoping for a future that prioritizes their safety and humanity.