CARACAS, Venezuela — An atmosphere of apprehensive stillness enveloped Venezuela on Sunday, marking the aftermath of a dramatic U.S.-led military intervention that resulted in the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power. The capital city, typically a hub of activity, presented an eerie tableau of deserted streets and shuttered businesses, as the nation collectively held its breath regarding its political future.
In a stark contrast to the previous day’s frantic scenes of citizens stockpiling essentials, the urban landscape of Caracas remained largely motionless. Major thoroughfares, usually vibrant with runners and cyclists, stood empty. The presidential palace, now a symbol of the seismic power shift, was secured by a combination of military personnel and armed civilian supporters.
Beyond the capital, in La Guira state, residents navigated the physical wreckage of the operation, clearing debris from homes damaged during the explosions that accompanied Maduro’s apprehension. The structural damage to some buildings revealed gaping holes in walls, serving as tangible evidence of the preceding day’s violent events.
The political vacuum created by Maduro’s unexpected ousting has generated widespread uncertainty across the nation. President Donald Trump’s declaration that the United States would collaborate with Maduro’s former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to ‘run’ Venezuela has done little to clarify the country’s immediate trajectory.
This pervasive uncertainty manifested in the subdued behavior of citizens. In eastern Caracas’ low-income neighborhoods, such as where construction worker Daniel Medalla gathered with fellow parishioners, even religious services were canceled. Medalla, 66, suggested that the deserted streets reflected not concern about additional military action, but rather fear of potential government retaliation against any public displays of celebration, a apprehension rooted in memories of last year’s election crackdowns. ‘We were longing for it,’ Medalla confessed regarding Maduro’s removal, capturing the conflicted sentiments of many Venezuelans who desire change but fear its costs.