Venezuelans Face Uncertain Future After Maduro’s Capture

Venezuelans are grappling with uncertainty following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation. This pivotal event has left many in the South American country in a state of shock, as a tense calm envelops the capital, Caracas. On March 3, 2024, Maduro was detained in New York, marking a significant turning point in Venezuela’s turbulent political landscape.

The atmosphere in Caracas was unusually quiet on Sunday, as numerous businesses, gas stations, and churches remained closed. Residents formed lines outside a few open establishments, many absorbed in their phones or lost in thought. “People are still shaken,” remarked David Leal, a 77-year-old parking attendant who found himself working in an eerily deserted street.

While Maduro is in custody, those who previously supported him are still in power and demanding his release. Venezuela’s presidential palace is under the watch of armed civilians and military personnel, illustrating the precarious situation. U.S. President Donald Trump stated on March 2 that his administration intends to “run” Venezuela with backing from Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president, who has now assumed the role of interim president following a high court order.

Yet, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tempered Trump’s remarks, asserting in interviews with CBS and ABC that Washington plans to leverage control of Venezuela’s oil industry to instigate policy changes. “We want to see Venezuela transition to be a place completely different than what it looks like today,” Rubio stated. “But obviously, we don’t have the expectation that’s going to happen in the next 15 hours.”

While Venezuelans residing in the U.S. and other parts of Latin America celebrated or protested, the mood within Venezuela remained somber. Government supporters rallied over the weekend, burning U.S. flags and displaying signs that read “gringo go home.” In a low-income neighborhood in eastern Caracas, construction worker Daniel Medalla noted that morning Mass was canceled, reflecting the general fear of government repression among those wishing to celebrate. “We were longing for it,” said Medalla, 66, referring to Maduro’s exit.

Memories of the government’s crackdown during the contested elections of 2024 loom large. Maduro faced widespread accusations of electoral fraud, resulting in protests that left 28 people dead, 220 injured, and at least 2,000 detained, according to official figures.

In La Guaira, a coastal state, residents are dealing with the aftermath of the military operation that led to Maduro’s capture. Families with damaged homes are sifting through debris. Wilman González, who suffered injuries from an explosion, expressed his anger while cleaning his apartment. “This is it, what we are left with: ruins,” he lamented, highlighting the prolonged economic and political crises that have plagued Venezuela for decades.

“We are civilians, we are not with the government or anyone else,” González added, encapsulating the frustration many feel amid the ongoing chaos. As the situation unfolds, Venezuelans are left to navigate the complex realities of their country’s future.