After the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States, the Venezuelan government has imposed a state of emergency, deployed armed militias, and banned any public expression related to the American operation.
Unstable Power Locking Down the Streets
Following Maduro’s extraction to the US, the authorities in place responded with force. A state of emergency was declared, prohibiting any public demonstration or expression that could be interpreted as support for the American operation. The text orders the immediate arrest of anyone suspected of promoting or approving the intervention.
In the capital, paramilitary militias known as colectivos have been massively deployed. Armed and visible at every strategic intersection, they have set up checkpoints and patrol several neighborhoods, particularly in eastern Caracas, a traditional opposition stronghold.
According to witnesses and local NGOs, security forces are conducting phone checks to identify any messages, photos, or content deemed favorable to Maduro’s downfall. The logic is clear: prevent any celebration and stifle any early signs of popular mobilization.
Journalists on the Frontline
The press has been one of the first targets of this crackdown. Journalist unions report that at least 14 media professionals have been temporarily arrested, with a majority working for foreign media. Most were detained around the National Assembly when Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president.
Journalists were initially allowed to enter the building but without the right to film or broadcast live before being completely excluded. Several teams were held for hours by military counter-espionage services. In some cases, the identity and exact location of those detained remain unknown, with their relatives fearing reprisals if they speak out publicly.
Delcy Rodríguez Consolidates Power
Delcy Rodríguez… one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, and drug trafficking. She is the main ally… of Russia, China, and Iran. So, she is someone who cannot inspire confidence in international investors and is rejected… by the Venezuelan people.
María Corina Machado, opposition leader on Fox News
Delcy Rodríguez, former vice president and central figure of the regime, has been invested in an atmosphere of extreme tension. She now seeks to consolidate her authority over a weakened state apparatus following the sudden disappearance of its historical leader. The ambassadors of Russia, China, and Iran have quickly expressed their support, emphasizing the regime’s geopolitical continuity despite the shock.
Meanwhile, the opposition sounds the alarm. María Corina Machado described the situation as “deeply worrying,” denouncing a repressive escalation that threatens any prospect of a credible democratic transition. She emphasizes that Rodríguez is perceived by a large part of the population as one of the architects of the persecution and corruption system in recent years.
A Climate of Widespread Fear
Fear reigns in the streets of Caracas. Once lively neighborhoods remain deserted. Residents avoid any display of joy or relief, aware that even the slightest sign of celebration could be interpreted as a deadly provocation.
Gunshots have been reported near the presidential palace, officially described as warning shots related to unauthorized drones. The message is clear: despite Maduro’s fall and Trump’s promise of a smooth transition, the repressive apparatus is intact, and the regime intends to prove that it still controls the country.
Far from marking the end of an authoritarian cycle, Maduro’s capture seems to have triggered an even more dangerous phase. For markets and embassies, this hardening confirms that the Venezuelan political risk is far from dissipating. It has simply taken on a different form.
