Screenshot via X/@MargoMartin47
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President Donald Trump made a brief stop at El Arepazo in Doral Monday afternoon, stopping by the Venezuelan favorite just months after its owner went public with claims that the administration’s immigration policies were devastating his business.
The visit lasted only four minutes (insert obvious joke here), according to the Miami Herald, but brought the President face to face with a community where support for his foreign policy often clashes with the local impact of his domestic agenda.
The stop followed the “Shield of the Americas” summit at the Trump National Doral, where the President met with Latin American leaders to coordinate the region’s security. During a GOP retreat earlier in the day, Trump addressed the ongoing military conflict with Iran, claiming that joint U.S. and Israeli efforts had recently prevented a series of planned strikes against the Middle East and the United States.
Screenshot via X/@MargoMartin47
A History of Friction
The choice of venue was interesting given the public stance of El Arepazo’s owner, Alexis Mogollon.
In a televised interview last September, Mogollon said his sales had plummeted by more than 68 percent due to an atmosphere of fear, noting that the local Venezuelan community had become hesitant to gather in public spaces for fear of immigration raids.
While Mogollon has supported Trump in the past, he expressed disillusionment over the damage these policies have had on US Venezuelan residents.
The Scene at the Restaurant
Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere was very carefully managed by the county Republican Party. According to reports from the Miami Herald, the guest list was dominated by GOP officials and invited supporters, including Doral Mayor Christi Fraga and Councilmembers Rafael Pineyro and Nicole Reinoso.
Outside, the reception was a bit more chaotic. While a crowd gathered to cheer the President’s arrival, several Venezuelan business pros and owners with invitations were reportedly denied entry and kept in the parking lot. One frustrated attendee noted that while the event used a Venezuelan landmark as a backdrop, many members of the local professional community were left standing outside.
Economic and Policy Concerns
The visit comes as the administration faces declining approval ratings on key issues such as government leadership and the economy. Recent surges in oil prices, which topped $100 a barrel this week for the first time since 2022, added to the tension of the three-day GOP retreat as leaders gathered to discuss strategy ahead of the midterm elections.
For many in Doral, El Arepazo is more than a restaurant; it is the main site for local protests and vigils. While many patrons celebrated there during the recent removal of the Maduro regime, the community remains divided over the administration’s handling of Temporary Protected Status and the long-term future of Venezuelan migrants living in South Florida.
El Arepazo. 10191 NW 58th St., Doral; elarepazodoral.com.
