The early hours in Caracas were shattered by a series of powerful explosions, an event that one local journalist initially mistook for an earthquake. This marked the beginning of a US-led military intervention in Venezuela, an operation authorised by the Trump administration which has forcibly removed the country's leader, Nicolás Maduro, from power.
A Capital Awoken by Attack
Anna, a pseudonym for a journalist based in the Venezuelan capital for her safety, was awake in the early morning. "At almost 2am, I was awake, actually, and the first explosion, I swear I thought it was an earthquake," she told Helen Pidd. The reality of the situation became clear as the detonations continued. "But then when the explosions continued in the following 20 minutes, one after the other, something deep down told me, you know, it's the Americans."
She describes a city gripped by nervousness and an atmosphere of profound uncertainty. The abrupt change in political leadership has done little to assuage the deep-seated anxieties of a population long accustomed to a lack of autonomy. Anna warns that Venezuela's experience could be a grim precedent for other nations facing the erosion of their democratic institutions.
Fragility on the Border and Within the New Regime
Tom Phillips, The Guardian's Latin America correspondent, provides further insight from the ground. He details the apprehension and complex mix of emotions among Venezuelans crossing the border into Colombia. While some express hope, there is a palpable sense of mistrust and disappointment, particularly within the opposition movement which now finds itself navigating a precarious new reality.
The new leadership structure is described as inherently fragile, with internal divisions and a lack of clear consensus. Phillips suggests that the vast oil reserves of Venezuela were a significant factor in shaping the political calculations of the United States. Despite the dramatic shift in power, the correspondent underscores that the intense deprivation which has gripped the country for years shows no immediate signs of abating.
A Nation's Deepening Crisis
The podcast discussion between Phillips and Pidd concludes with a stark assessment of the humanitarian situation. The economic collapse, hyperinflation, and shortages of basic necessities continue to define daily life for millions of Venezuelans. The US operation has altered the political landscape, but it has not yet addressed the profound socio-economic crisis at the heart of the nation's suffering. The path forward remains fraught with challenges, both for the untested new government and for a weary population.
