Venezuelans react to US Maduro arrest with hope and uncertainty

As things calm down in Caracas, Venezuelans react with hope, fear and uncertainty to the news that President Nicolás Maduro has been captured by the United States.

After the night that was shaken by explosions in the Caracas Valley, people began to take to the streets on Saturday, with moods ranging from celebration to condemnation.

Local resident Dina told the BBC that she was grateful to the US for now “for getting Maduro out of here” because now “at least he can see some light again at the end of the tunnel”.

But the political climate remains tense, which is one reason why he did not give his real name to the BBC.

Jorge, another Venezuelan living near Caracas, told the BBC he was grateful “to be well supported by Trump and the whole United States” but feared the days ahead would not be easy.

“Now they’re taking this man away, what will happen?” Jorge told the BBC. “It doesn’t guarantee us anything. So there is some uncertainty. We don’t know what the coming days will bring.”

Supporters of the Maduro government also demonstrated in the streets of Caracas, demanding that the United States release their leaders. Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez, a staunch supporter of the government, attended the rally to protest what she called Maduro’s “kidnapping.”

Early on Saturday, US forces under President Donald Trump carried out a series of targeted attacks in Venezuela’s capital, resulting in the country’s leader being detained by the US.

The USA accuses Maduro of running a “narco-terrorist” regime. It is widely viewed by foreign governments, as well as opponents at home, that Venezuela won the 2024 elections illegitimately.

Maduro, who leads the United Socialist Party and has been in power since 2013, is accused of frequently suppressing opposition groups and silencing dissent in Venezuela, sometimes using violence.

The future of Venezuela remains uncertain as Maduro and his wife are extradited to New York to face drug trafficking and weapons charges. Trump said that the United States would govern the country and manage its oil reserves until a permanent replacement for Maduro comes.

Maduro has previously denied allegations that the United States is directly involved in drug trafficking.

But some Venezuelans told the BBC there was still too much fear and uncertainty, even for those grateful for Maduro’s departure.

Dina doesn’t have much confidence in Trump.

“He says one thing now and changes his mind tomorrow,” Dina said of Trump. “I mean, I’m not used to taking his words seriously.”

Dina said the “only good thing” in what Trump has said since Maduro’s capture is that the United States will invest in Venezuela, which he hopes will lead to a “better economic situation” for the struggling country.

The danger of speaking out against Maduro is still very real in Venezuela, as the National Assembly, dominated by Maduro loyalists, passed a law a few weeks ago declaring anyone who supports US naval blockades as “traitors”.

Jorge said he saw motorcyclists from colectivos, pro-government paramilitary groups in Venezuela, roaming the streets yesterday with guns.

“Even going out to buy bread is a little scary right now,” he said. “We will have to wait for the best and be patient.”

Jorge added that he was concerned about the influence of Maduro’s ally, Venezuelan Minister of Internal Affairs, Justice and Peace Diosdado Cabello.

“She’s a very bad person, very vindictive,” Jorge said of Cabello. “I don’t know how many people are with him. I hope the army will side with the people and lose some control.”

Sandra, who lives in Punto Fijo, Venezuela, echoed Jorge and Dina’s relief at Maduro’s ouster. But he, too, is skeptical about the future and what it means for Venezuelans in exile.

Close to eight million Venezuelans have left Venezuela since Maduro came to power, and many are openly celebrating Maduro’s takeover on the streets of the cities where they settled.

Sandra said millions of people in exile, as well as others, were “missing, imprisoned, dead or simply surviving” and that this was “a real tragedy that has not been addressed by any country”.

“This is just the beginning; we know we still have a long road ahead of us,” added Sandra. “Never before has any country heard the screams of Venezuelans in the face of this tragedy.”

Tom Bateman, Cristobal Vasquez and Kristina Volk contributed to this report.