Maduro is Gone, but the Terror Remains: Inside the Paralyzed Streets of

The fall of Nicolás Maduro and his subsequent capture by United States forces has left Venezuela in a state of profound uncertainty, where the initial relief of the opposition is being stifled by a lingering climate of terror. Although the long time strongman is currently in American custody facing narcotics and weapons charges, his loyalists still hold significant levers of power within the country. In the capital of Caracas and across the northern provinces, citizens describe a landscape dominated by military patrols and masked paramilitary groups that continue to enforce the status quo through intimidation. While many were happy to see Maduro removed, few dare to celebrate openly in the streets for fear of violent retaliation from the remnants of the regime.

Marcelo, a student in Caracas, explained to international reporters that the joy over Maduro’s capture is tempered by the reality of who still walks the streets. "There are still allies of Maduro in positions of power, so there are several reasons why we aren’t celebrating outside our homes," he said, though he noted that the vast majority of the population is privately elated. Others expressed hope that if the United States manages a stable transition and ends the socialist movement known as Chavismo, their exiled friends and family might finally return home. However, for those currently on the ground, the immediate concern is survival. The price of basic staples like corn flour has nearly tripled in some areas, and bread costs have surged by 30% as the economy reacts to the political vacuum.

The human cost of the operation to capture Maduro is also coming into focus, with reports of dozens killed during the raid on his compound, including 32 members of the Cuban security forces. This loss of life has fueled a sense of "humiliation" among Maduro's supporters, such as 57 year old Rosa Contreras, who felt inspired to protest by the defiant image of Maduro waving after his arrival in the U.S. Some loyalists are even preparing for a boots on the ground war if the U.S. continues its military presence. Glen Correa, a 50 year old welfare worker, warned that the Venezuelan people are "armed to the teeth" and ready to fight back against any further foreign intervention.

Currently, Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, is serving as the interim leader, a move that has done little to ease the fears of the population. Journalists have been arrested and armed groups continue to "sow fear among the population," according to a 34 year old entrepreneur who fears a new wave of state sponsored revenge. In Guyana City, streets are reported to be eerily empty of cars and pedestrians, with soldiers standing guard over supermarkets to prevent looting. As one 33 year old massage therapist put it, "They gave the people crumbs while they kept the feast for themselves," but she admits the current atmosphere is incredibly dangerous, stating plainly, "There is so much fear in the streets and in our homes."