The capture of Nicolás Maduro by US troops last week initially sparked hope among Venezuelans, but a week on, a more draconian atmosphere pervades the country. Opposition leader Freddy Guevara, who spent 34 days in the notorious El Helicoide prison, recalled the torture he endured, including stress positions and blaring salsa music. He hoped the approximately 1,000 political prisoners still held might be released after Maduro's capture.
US President Donald Trump hinted at the closure of El Helicoide, and Venezuelan authorities subsequently released a 'significant number' of prisoners, including activist Rocío San Miguel and former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez. However, experts noted few other signs of a political thaw. Instead, the new regime led by Maduro's vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, sought to assert authority, with security forces setting up checkpoints, searching phones, and detaining journalists.
In Caracas, masked civilians armed with Kalashnikovs roamed the streets, and paramilitary groups imposed an informal curfew in the 23 de Enero district. Residents described fear and recruitment of homeless people and drug addicts for patrols. The atmosphere of intimidation extended across the country, with a 57-year-old entrepreneur near the Colombian border expressing fear of speaking openly.
While opposition supporters were initially euphoric, hopes were dashed when Trump announced recognition of Rodríguez and a plan to work with the regime to 'stabilise' the country. María Corina Machado, the opposition leader expected to lead democratic change, saw her movement sidelined. Many Venezuelans now fear that Maduro's capture has merely replaced one dictatorship with a 'more convenient' one, leaving the country's future uncertain.
