Silence Falls Over Caracas After US Operation as Fear and Uncertainty Grip Residents
An unusual calm settled over Caracas on Sunday, a day after a sudden US military operation led to the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Streets that are normally busy were largely empty, with very few vehicles on the roads. Most shops, petrol stations and small businesses remained closed as residents stayed indoors amid growing uncertainty.
According to international media reports, Maduro and his wife are expected to face narcoterrorism-related charges in New York. Following the developments, former US President Donald Trump said the United States would oversee Venezuela’s administration during what he described as a transition period, a statement that has added to public anxiety.
Interim Leadership Declared, Public Remains Uncertain
Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, was named interim president by the country’s Supreme Court under constitutional provisions. While reports suggest she currently has backing from Washington, many Venezuelans remain unsure about how the political situation will evolve.
The mood in the capital contrasted sharply with scenes from early Saturday, when panic buying was reported. Long queues formed outside grocery stores and fuel stations as people rushed to stock up on essentials, fearing shortages or extended unrest. By Sunday, visible panic had eased, but tension lingered. Streets usually filled with joggers and cyclists were noticeably quiet.
Damage Reported in Areas Outside the Capital
Outside Caracas, especially in the coastal La Guaira region, residents reported visible damage linked to the US operation. Several homes showed cracks and holes in their walls, and people were seen clearing debris from damaged buildings. In some locations, explosions reportedly caused structural harm to residential properties.
In a low-income neighbourhood in eastern Caracas, a 66-year-old construction worker said morning prayers at the local church were cancelled. He explained that people were avoiding public gatherings out of fear that celebrating Maduro’s removal could trigger action from authorities or armed groups.
US Signals Conditional Cooperation
The United States has said it is open to working with Venezuela’s current leadership, provided what it called “the right decisions” are taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would closely monitor the actions of the interim government before determining its next steps.
Rubio warned that the US retains several forms of leverage if cooperation does not materialise, reinforcing uncertainty about Venezuela’s immediate future.
Oil Remains Central to the Crisis
Oil is widely seen as a key factor behind the unfolding crisis. Venezuela holds the world’s largest known oil reserves, although much of it remains underdeveloped. Trump has said US companies would step in to extract oil that previous Venezuelan administrations were unable to fully utilise.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA has reportedly instructed some joint ventures to reduce crude output. Following US seizures of oil shipments and restrictions on sanctioned tankers, Venezuela’s oil exports have nearly stalled, leading to rising storage levels and further economic strain.
As Caracas remains subdued, residents continue to wait anxiously, watching developments closely and hoping for clarity in the days ahead.