In the days since the seizure of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelans have been coming to terms with an uncertain future as a new reality begins to set in. Marcelo, a student based in Caracas, welcomes Maduro's seizure but is cautious about celebrating publicly. He states, There are still allies of Maduro that are in power, so there are a few reasons why we don't celebrate outside of our houses. But the majority of the people of Venezuela are very happy for what happened. Many oppose Maduro's government but remain anonymous for safety. Supporters, like Rosa Contreras, feel humiliated by the US action and claim it was too easy to remove their president.
Reports indicate dozens were killed in the operation that captured Maduro and his wife, with the Cuban government claiming many of its security forces were among the casualties. Following Maduro’s removal, Delcy Rodríguez, his vice-president and close ally, has been sworn in as the interim president, leading to increased police presence and detentions of journalists.
Some, like Rosa Contreras, feel inspired by Maduro's attitude during his seizure, while others like Marcelo harbor hopes for change if the US supports a stable transition. Many Venezuelans, however, worry that the removal of Maduro will not significantly alter the regime but may lead to further unrest, especially with armed supporters still present on the streets.
Opinions are divided as citizens express sorrow for the loss of life during the operation while also feeling relieved by Maduro’s removal. Despite a clear desire for change, prevalent fears about the stability of the situation persist. Gelén Correa, a citizen, asserted, The [Venezuelan] people deserve respect. I am prepared to fight back, indicating a readiness for potential conflict should US actions continue. Amid this pervasive tension, many lament the socioeconomic struggles that show little sign of abating, detailing price hikes in staple foods and expressing fear of armed reprisals, with a deep sense of unease looming over the nation's capital.
Reports indicate dozens were killed in the operation that captured Maduro and his wife, with the Cuban government claiming many of its security forces were among the casualties. Following Maduro’s removal, Delcy Rodríguez, his vice-president and close ally, has been sworn in as the interim president, leading to increased police presence and detentions of journalists.
Some, like Rosa Contreras, feel inspired by Maduro's attitude during his seizure, while others like Marcelo harbor hopes for change if the US supports a stable transition. Many Venezuelans, however, worry that the removal of Maduro will not significantly alter the regime but may lead to further unrest, especially with armed supporters still present on the streets.
Opinions are divided as citizens express sorrow for the loss of life during the operation while also feeling relieved by Maduro’s removal. Despite a clear desire for change, prevalent fears about the stability of the situation persist. Gelén Correa, a citizen, asserted, The [Venezuelan] people deserve respect. I am prepared to fight back, indicating a readiness for potential conflict should US actions continue. Amid this pervasive tension, many lament the socioeconomic struggles that show little sign of abating, detailing price hikes in staple foods and expressing fear of armed reprisals, with a deep sense of unease looming over the nation's capital.
