India, Jan. 4 -- For many Venezuelans, the fall of Nicolas Maduro from the presidential palace to a New York jail cell happened faster than they could process. Within hours of his dramatic capture by US forces, the long-time leader was behind bars in the US.

The images sparked celebrations in parts of the Venezuelan diaspora, especially in South Florida, while also reopening painful memories of repression, exile, and unfinished justice. Nicolas Maduro's arrival in US custody marks a turning point not just for Venezuela's political future, but for millions who fled his rule and have waited years for accountability.

Nicolas Maduro spent Saturday night in a New York jail just hours after arriving in the United States under heavy security. ...