Caracas, Venezuela — Days after a U.S. military operation captured President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, Venezuelans are tentatively resuming daily life in the capital and beyond, even as fears of government repression hang over the nation. Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's vice president, was sworn in as acting leader on Monday, marking a swift transition amid widespread uncertainty. Authorities have responded to the upheaval with a series of crackdowns, including new checkpoints and detentions, as the country grapples with both political fallout and economic strain.
The capture of Maduro, a polarizing figure who has led Venezuela since 2013, came as a shock to many in the oil-rich South American nation already battered by years of hyperinflation, shortages, and international sanctions. The U.S. action, described by American officials as a targeted operation to remove a leader accused of human rights abuses and election fraud, has drawn sharp condemnation from Maduro's allies in the region. In Caracas, the streets that were once filled with protests against his rule now echo with a cautious silence, punctuated by the presence of security forces.
According to rights groups, the government's response has escalated quickly. On Monday, officials issued a decree granting broad powers to the presidency and directing security forces to apprehend "any person involved in the promotion or support" of what they term the "weekend attack by the U.S." The measure, announced shortly after Rodríguez's inauguration, has led to the erection of checkpoints across major cities, where individuals are being searched for "digital material" linked to the military action.
The Committee for the Liberation of Political Prisoners in Venezuela reported that political prisoners have had their visiting rights suspended and are being isolated from outside communication. This comes atop a history of detentions under Maduro's administration, where thousands have been jailed for opposing the government. The committee described the moves as part of a broader pattern of repression, though Venezuelan officials have not publicly commented on the specifics.
Journalists have also felt the brunt of the crackdown. The national press union stated that Venezuelan security forces temporarily detained 14 reporters on Monday, including those covering the swearing-in ceremony of the national assembly. No reasons were provided for the arrests, which lasted several hours before the journalists were released. Such incidents recall past episodes where media workers faced harassment during political crises in the country.
Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, a key figure in the socialist regime and a close ally of Maduro, amplified the government's stance through social media. On Instagram, Cabello posted two videos from Caracas showing armed security personnel in the capital. In one clip, a group of men could be heard chanting, "Loyal always, traitors never!" The posts underscore the loyalty demanded from state forces amid the leadership vacuum.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, who remains in his position despite the upheaval, urged citizens to return to normalcy. In a statement on Sunday, Padrino López said people should "resume their economic activities, work, and all other types of activities, including educational activities, in the coming days." His words reflect the government's push to stabilize the situation, even as a heavy police presence lingers on Caracas streets, with fewer soldiers patrolling compared to the immediate aftermath of the capture.
Public dissent has been notably subdued. There have been few anti-government protests or even critical posts on social media, a stark contrast to the mass demonstrations that rocked Venezuela in 2017 and 2019. Observers attribute this to the fear of reprisals from a regime long accused by human rights organizations of punishing opposition through arbitrary arrests and surveillance. Cabello and Padrino López, both implicated in previous crackdowns, continue to hold sway over security apparatus.
Pro-government supporters have made their voices heard, albeit on a limited scale. Since Sunday, small groups aligned with the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela have marched in Caracas and other cities, demanding the release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also detained in the U.S. operation. These demonstrations, while vocal, have not drawn the large crowds seen in past rallies backing the leadership.
Despite the tension, signs of resilience are emerging as Venezuelans navigate the uncertainty. On Tuesday, more civilians ventured onto the streets of Caracas, with public offices reopening and the Metro system operating on schedule. The nearby Simón Bolívar International Airport resumed domestic flights, and supermarkets continued to serve customers, though some shelves showed signs of strain. The timing coincides with Día de los Reyes, or Three Kings' Day, a public holiday that has kept many indoors, but schools are set to reopen in the coming days, and workers are expected to return full-time.
Underlying the push for normalcy is a deepening economic crisis, exacerbated by the political shock. Venezuela's currency, the bolívar, has plummeted in value, with informal exchange rates in the western city of Maracaibo reaching 900 to 1,000 bolívares per U.S. dollar—more than triple the usual rate of around 300. Reports of price gouging have surged, and in some areas, stores are only accepting cash. Farther east in smaller cities, businesses have reportedly removed price tags altogether, fueling concerns over affordability.
Hunger remains a relentless issue, particularly in rural and peripheral regions. Rights groups and local media have documented empty shelves and rising food costs, echoing the shortages that plagued Venezuela during the height of its economic collapse in the mid-2010s. The capture of Maduro has disrupted oil exports, a lifeline for the economy, leading to warnings from economists that inflation could spiral further without swift stabilization.
Amid the chaos, ordinary Venezuelans express a pragmatic determination to carry on. Douglas Sanchez, a merchant in Caracas, told Reuters on Monday that "those of us who work day to day, who eat day to day" must keep going. "Because if you don’t go out to work, you don’t have anything," he added, capturing the stoic mindset forged by years of adversity under sanctions, corruption allegations, and political turmoil.
The international community watches closely as Venezuela teeters. The United States has defended the operation as necessary to end Maduro's authoritarian rule, citing disputed 2018 elections and widespread poverty. Allies like Russia and Cuba have decried it as an invasion, while regional bodies such as the Organization of American States call for dialogue. Rodríguez's interim government has vowed to seek Maduro's return through diplomatic channels, but analysts doubt quick resolutions given the entrenched divisions.
Looking ahead, the path to recovery remains fraught. With schools and businesses ramping up, the focus shifts to economic revival, but persistent repression could stifle any momentum. Venezuelans, hardened by decades of upheaval—from oil booms to busts and ideological battles—appear ready to adapt once more, though the shadow of uncertainty persists in the air of Caracas and beyond.