Venezuelans Continue to Fear Government Despite Maduro's Fall

Persistent Fear in Venezuela

Nearly 3,200 kilometers now separate Venezuelans from Nicolas Maduro, their former president, who was forcibly removed by U.S. special forces to New York. Nevertheless, Mario, a resident of Caracas, expresses concern about the public celebration of the downfall of a leader who, for many Venezuelans, has become synonymous with repression. Maduro's government largely remains intact, with Vice President Delcy Rodriguez appointed as interim president with the blessing of Donald Trump.

Censorship and Fear

Many Venezuelans are feeling anxious, deleting messages, avoiding political discussions in public, and self-censoring on social media, according to interviews conducted by Al Jazeera. Additionally, the Venezuelan police announced the arrest of at least four individuals for celebrating Maduro's capture or mocking the former leader. Official statements indicate arrests for "inciting hatred and treason."

State of Emergency

The government recently declared a state of emergency, ordering security forces to "immediately begin the search and capture... of anyone involved in promoting or supporting the armed attack by the United States." Mario states that he hesitates to use the main roads to avoid encounters with paramilitary groups aligned with the government.

Delcy Rodriguez and Her Team

Rodriguez, who led the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) during one of the most repressive periods of the Maduro regime, is perceived as a "pragmatic" figure but part of the repressive apparatus. Recently, she appointed Gustavo Enrique Gonzalez Lopez, a former head of SEBIN accused of human rights abuses, as director. This signals "not a good sign," according to experts, and his appointment is seen as a step backward.

Long-Term Effects

A researcher from the Center for Human Rights states that past repressions have created a climate of fear among Venezuelans, and the reaction to recent U.S. bombings adds a new dimension to this panic.

"It is terrifying to think you could be arrested just for having a meme about Maduro on your phone," says Viviana, a flower vendor from Caracas. "This is the fear that exists today, and for this reason, people avoid saying anything or commenting on things in the street."