What Venezuelans say after their leader was unexpectedly kidnapped

After the arrest of Nicolas Maduro by American forces, the Venezuelan people are facing intense uncertainty. With this sudden and unexpected event, the country's citizens are confronting a new political reality, and a fear-filled doubt about what the future holds remains in the minds of many.

According to reports from Caracas, both Maduro's supporters and opponents of his rule are observing this event with great caution.

Marcelo, a university student in Caracas, expressed happiness about the event, but fears celebrating it publicly. "Maduro's allies are still in power. So we can't openly rejoice," he told BBC World Service. However, he assures that the majority of people in Venezuela are very happy about this event. Not only Marcelo, but many opponents of Maduro's rule are afraid for their safety, and many are even reluctant to speak to the media. Many who preferred not to be named say that while Maduro's arrest is a good thing, there is uncertainty about what will happen next.

On the other hand, those loyal to Maduro view this act as a humiliation perpetrated by America. 57-year-old Rosa Contreras says she felt ashamed watching how her president was taken away. Dressed in white and holding a Venezuelan flag, she expressed deep concern about how American forces stormed Maduro's home in Caracas and arrested him and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Cuban government has announced that several people, including 32 Cuban security personnel, died during this operation. Maduro and his wife have now been taken to the United States on charges related to drug trafficking and arms.

Shortly after this incident, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration would govern Venezuela. However, the nature of that governance is not yet clear. Meanwhile, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, a close ally of Maduro, has been sworn in as interim president. With her coming to power, police patrols on the streets have intensified, and incidents of journalists being arrested are also reported. Speaking at a rally demanding Maduro's release, Rosa Contreras said that the sight of Maduro waving his hand after being taken to the US gave her strength to fight. "He sent us a message saying, 'If I am here, you too should stand up and continue to fight,'" she said.

However, opponents like Marcelo are happy about Maduro's safe arrival in the US for a different reason. "We would like to see him spend the rest of his life in prison," says Marcelo. Due to the severe political and economic crisis that worsened under Maduro's rule in recent years, millions of people have left Venezuela. Marcelo believes that if the socialist political movement, or 'Chavismo,' which began with Hugo Chavez, ends, many friends who left the country will return. He thinks that if the US intervenes and creates an economically and socially stable transition, even if it's not a perfect solution, the people will welcome it.

A 60-year-old opposition activist living in Maracaibo told the BBC that he was saddened by the loss of life but happy about Maduro's arrest. "He caused great destruction to the country. It's a relief for us that he's there (arrested)," he said. He recalled the suffering of the people due to food and medicine shortages. "They kept the best things for themselves and only gave scraps to the people," a 33-year-old masseuse criticized Maduro's government. Although she is not impressed with the current interim president Delcy Rodriguez, she says that if this is the price to pay for a change in government, she will accept it.

The uncertainty and fear about the future were reflected in the stories of everyone who spoke to the BBC. US President Donald Trump has hinted at a second series of attacks, which has increased the fears of many. However, 50-year-old Jelen Correa, who works in government social programs, says she is ready to fight. "Our people must be respected. If another attack comes, we are ready," she said. She warned that if America attacks again, they will find Venezuelans well-armed.

Some Venezuelans believe that even with Maduro's arrest, the country's situation will not change. "Even if the leader is removed, the regime remains the same. So there won't be much change," says 60-year-old Jose. Meanwhile, the country's economic situation continues to worsen. A person in Caracas said that the price of a kilo of corn flour has tripled. A person in Maracaibo said that the price of bread has increased by 30%. A woman in Guayana City, eastern Venezuela, said that it has been very rare to see people on the streets in the past two days and that vehicle traffic has stopped. She mentioned seeing military soldiers deployed to protect supermarkets from looting. She also added that she, her family, and friends are afraid to go out.

Another fear among many is that there will be reprisals, similar to what happened after the July 2024 election. Although the government-friendly electoral council declared Maduro the winner, the European Union, the United States, and several Latin American countries refused to accept the result. They pointed out that according to the vote data collected by the opposition, the opposition candidate had won. The fear among the people is justified because previous protests were suppressed by government forces and paramilitary groups. A 34-year-old entrepreneur told the BBC, "There are soldiers everywhere. Armed civilian groups helping the government are intimidating the people." She mentioned that there is no guarantee whether peace will prevail.

Meanwhile, the masseuse also endorsed this view, stating that the current situation is very dangerous. "There is great fear on the streets as well as inside our homes," she told the BBC. Overall, while the arrest of Nicolas Maduro is a crucial turning point in Venezuela's political history, it has brought more uncertainty and fear than relief to the general public. Whether a transfer of power will occur or if the existing regime will further tighten its grip will be decided in the coming days. Until then, the Venezuelan people await with apprehension, wondering what tomorrow will bring.