After Maduro’s Removal, Venezuelans Grapple With Hope and Deep Uncertainty

Venezuelans woke on January 3, 2026, to news that President Nicolás Maduro had been detained by US forces. Initial celebrations in neighbourhoods such as Ejido and parts of Caracas were quickly tempered by a tense, uneasy silence: brief power and phone outages, reports of low-flying helicopters, and widespread uncertainty about what would come next.

Voices From the Street

Wilmer Castro, a 26-year-old university student in Ejido, described an emotional roller coaster. He said the news of Maduro's removal felt like "the best gift I will ever receive," imagining telling future generations how the dictator fell. Yet within hours his elation faded into apprehension over basic needs such as food availability and rising prices.

Edward Ocariz, a 54-year-old human rights activist from southeastern Caracas, said he was woken by explosions and unfamiliar helicopters near the Fort Tiuna barracks. Ocariz, who spent nearly five months as a political prisoner in Tocuyito, described a mixture of joy and fear as images of a blindfolded, handcuffed Maduro circulated online: 'It was a fear mixed with joy—tremendous joy. It’s hard to explain.'

Background And Context

Venezuela has been governed by Chavista administrations since 1999, first under Hugo Chávez and then under Maduro. Policies once funded by oil revenues became mired in economic mismanagement, corruption, and repression, and international sanctions further strained the population. The disputed 2024 presidential election—after which the opposition said Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won in a landslide—was followed by a crackdown that left nearly 2,500 protesters, activists, journalists and opposition figures detained.

Tensions with the United States had been escalating before January 3, 2026, including US strikes on vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking and the deployment of US ships near Venezuelan waters. Those developments preceded the operation that removed Maduro and his wife.

Immediate Concerns

Across Caracas and other cities, residents reported brief communications blackouts, power outages, and a surge of people buying food amid fears of shortages—recalling the hyperinflation and scarcities of 2016. Ordinary Venezuelans now face urgent practical questions: will shops stay open, will prices spike, and can essential services be maintained?

Key state institutions remain under figures linked to Maduro. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was named acting president, a move that has unsettled many Venezuelans who worry about continuity of power and the potential for a power vacuum. Rodriguez’s role, and continued contact between some Venezuelan officials and US authorities, adds complexity to an already fraught situation.

Security Risks And Political Challenges

Venezuela is heavily militarised, and past crackdowns have relied not only on formal security forces but also on armed civilian groups known as 'colectivos', which rights organisations say have intimidated and attacked opponents. Jose Chalhoub, an energy and political risk analyst in Caracas, warned that dismantling the top ranks of the security apparatus could provoke unrest before it leads to disarmament of these groups. He also emphasized the urgent need for rapid economic measures to stabilize supply chains and restore confidence.

Public opinion is divided. Some, like mototaxi driver Alex Rajoy, condemned the US action as imperialist and vowed to stay home for fear of further strikes. Others feel the events may finally open a path toward accountability and recovery—but acknowledge that justice, security, and economic rebuilding will be difficult and slow.

What Comes Next

The immediate hours and days after Maduro’s removal have been defined by a fragile mix of hope and fear. Venezuelans are calling for restored services, guarantees of safety, and fair legal processes. Analysts say the priorities should include securing critical institutions, preventing retaliatory violence, disarming irregular armed groups, and implementing fast-moving economic measures to address shortages and inflation.

For many citizens, the question remains: will this moment lead to meaningful change, or will it deepen instability? As one resident put it, 'There’s happiness, there’s fear, there’s gratitude, there’s the “what will happen next?”' The country’s near-term path will depend on how domestic actors and international partners manage security, justice and the economy.