The US capture of Nicolás Maduro has sparked a mix of initial euphoria and skepticism among Venezuelan residents in Chile, who celebrated in Santiago's streets but now question the chavism's continuity under Delcy Rodríguez. Over 3,000 people joined joyful demonstrations over the weekend, but skepticism grows amid the lack of deep regime changes. Experts and migrants express cautious hope for an uncertain future.
Nearly 100 hours after the United States captured Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, Venezuelans in Chile have shifted from euphoria to uncertainty. In Santiago and Estación Central, over 3,000 residents celebrated with pot-banging and cheers, leaving traces of joy in the streets. However, with Delcy Rodríguez assuming the role of interim president and stating that 'no foreign nation governs our country,' hope is tinged with wariness.
US President Donald Trump has praised Rodríguez's cooperation and ruled out a role for opposition leader María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner. This has fueled doubts about a genuine transition. 'They practically did nothing, they just removed the president and put Delcy Rodríguez in as president. It's the same people, the same cabinet that worked with Maduro,' says Giancarlo Velázquez, a resident in Chile.
Venezuelan student Miguel Dorantes offers a mixed view: 'So far, I don't want to say the outlook is directly positive, but I have hope; much brighter than it was a couple of weeks ago.' Matilda Delgado yearns for greater US intervention led by Marco Rubio: 'I hope he goes there, and then we can return to our country.'
According to Alexander Maita, leader of Comando con Venezuela, 30% of Venezuelans in Chile want to return immediately, 40% gradually, and 30% to stay. Skepticism prevails, however: 'We're still in the same situation: Maduro and Delcy are the same,' says Draini Hernández. John Márquez believes 'there has to be a complete, radical change' for a different Venezuela.
The transition process causes stress, as Dorantes recounts: 'It's been stressful, to say the least.' Meanwhile, Michael Cardoza remains optimistic: 'I trust that what they're doing is for the good.' The community watches Trump's decisions on Venezuela with caution.
