Caught between disbelief and fear of possible new attacks, Venezuelans woke up to news that until recently seemed impossible: the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his removal from Venezuela, announced by US President Donald Trump.
“That’s a lie,” a doorman in Caracas said in the morning upon hearing the first reports of what had happened. Skepticism prevailed among those who had not heard the overnight explosions in the capital — sounds that some mistook for New Year’s fireworks — until senior figures within the Venezuelan leadership confirmed the US operation themselves. A request for proof of life made by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez indicated that, at that moment, Maduro’s whereabouts were unknown.
Hours later, Trump said in an interview with Fox News that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were aboard the USS Iwo Jima en route to New York. “The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter in a nice flight.”
Numerous streets in Caracas, where the smell of gunpowder lingered, appeared deserted in the early hours of Saturday. Some people who went out in search of basic necessities, such as diapers, found that most businesses were closed — even those that had opened on January 1, including pharmacies, supermarkets and gas stations.
“I see a somewhat warlike atmosphere. Silence can say many things,” a driver from eastern Caracas told CNN, asking not to be identified for security reasons. According to him, he traveled through several neighborhoods of the city and saw a recurring scene: shops operating behind closed doors, allowing only two people in at a time. This has led to long lines outside establishments, with people seeking food and medicine.
“Everything is relatively calm, but there could be shortages. No one expected this; we were caught off guard,” he said.
The silence has not been absolute. Some opponents of Maduro’s government celebrated from their balconies and played lively music. The political situation prevents many critics from taking to the streets for fear of repression.
Those who did go out very early were some supporters of the Venezuelan socialist movement known as Chavismo. They were seen in the vicinity of the Miraflores presidential palace, showing their support for Maduro.
Beyond political alignment, a broader sense of tension persists due to Trump’s statements. In addition to saying that the United States will govern Venezuela for now, he did not rule out further military actions in the country.
