One day after the US military strikes and capture of President Nicolás Maduro, Caracas residents face long lines for basics, power outages, and political limbo. Interviews reveal anger, confusion, and little celebration amid fears of escalation, as the military backs Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and international voices urge restraint.
Following Saturday's nighttime US bombings and Delta Force raid that captured Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores—detailed in initial reports—the Venezuelan capital awoke Sunday to widespread service disruptions and emotional turmoil.
Streets showed long queues at supermarkets despite outages. Retiree Griselda Guzmán, 68, teared up in line: "Uncertainty." Her husband Antonio, 71, added, "They took Maduro, but the revolution isn't over—they've just removed a pawn."
Younger residents like 23-year-old Sauriany, a state electric worker, and partner Leandro, 24, joined 100-person lines for flour, milk, and butter. "Who imagined this? If they wanted peace, this isn't the way," Leandro said.
Videographer Gabriel Vásquez, 29, described nighttime panic, while designer Julio Pimentel, 33, noted crowds at stores and pharmacies. Few celebrate Maduro's fall—blamed on his disputed 2024 election win and US charges—due to fears of retaliation from holdover forces.
Armed Forces chief Vladimir Padrino López declared Vice President Delcy Rodríguez interim president after the "cowardly kidnapping." President Trump signaled talks: "She is willing to make Venezuela great again."
Critics decried the action as illegal. "They are not owners of Venezuela," said Sauriany. Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay warned of a "dangerous precedent"; Colombia mobilized 30,000 border troops; Colombia's ELN condemned the "imperial attack."
While Maduro is widely blamed for economic ruin since 2013, opposition figures María Corina Machado and Edmundo González see transition potential—but with no immediate violence, the path forward remains unclear.
