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Two months after the United States detained former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Caracas presents a contradictory picture of defiance and disillusionment. While government rallies project unwavering loyalty, whispers of coercion and economic despair reveal deep divisions over the country's future.
Loyalty on display, fear beneath the surface
On March 3, thousands gathered in Caracas for a rally marking two months since Maduro's arrest. Participants wore T-shirts bearing his image and chanted slogans demanding his return. One attendee, 22-year-old Alí Rodríguez, told the BBC that Maduro remains Venezuela's constitutional president and a "prisoner of war" in a conflict the country did not initiate.
Yet away from the crowds, public employees admitted they were compelled to attend. A young worker, who requested anonymity, called the event "false" and "all a lie." Another, Elena (a pseudonym), said state employees risk punishment for skipping rallies. She and colleagues recently received a $150 bonus-on top of their $120 monthly salary-for participating. Two coworkers who stayed home were denied the payment.
"You're taught to preach the truth, but in Venezuela, you practice self-censorship."
Elena, public sector employee
A government in transition, an economy in crisis
Since Maduro's removal, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed power and aligned closely with Washington. The U.S., once a vocal adversary, now describes relations as "wonderful," citing the release of political prisoners and new oil and mining agreements. However, many young Venezuelans-who have known only Maduro's rule-see little immediate change.
Elena, who opposes emigration despite the economic collapse, demands the removal of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López. She accuses Cabello of deploying armed paramilitary groups, known as "colectivos," to intimidate opponents. "We must get rid of these people. That's non-negotiable," she said.
For others, the crisis is personal. Ana (not her real name), a 25-year-old teacher from Maracaibo earning $250 a month, plans to emigrate to Spain. She has never experienced life without fear of retaliation for social media posts and recalls power outages leaving her city without electricity for a week. "I want to live somewhere with reliable electricity," she said, adding that most of her friends have already fled.
Opposition hopes and skepticism
Activists like María Oropeza, a 31-year-old lawyer imprisoned in 2024, credit U.S. intervention for her release and note growing protests in universities. "Previously, raising a banner was almost impossible. Now, students are speaking out," she said. At Caracas' Central University, students launched a movement called "Save Venezuela," advocating for gradual reforms to avoid conflict.
Samuel Arias, 26, wants reconciliation but also better funding for education and an end to energy shortages. "It's absurd that a country with the world's largest oil reserves faces blackouts," he said. Valentina Scaloni, 24, opposes U.S. intervention in principle but believes it was necessary to end repression. "We haven't seen democracy or freedom," she said.
Not all share this view. Twins Daya and Dana, 25, criticize U.S. oil deals for failing to address inflation and inequality. "Macroeconomically, it's excellent. But salaries remain meager," Daya said. They support center-left politician Enrique Márquez, arrested in 2025 for contesting Maduro's election victory and freed on January 8. However, Dana warned that any candidate opposing Rodríguez would need Washington's approval.
A generation's longing for change
For young Venezuelans, the past two decades under the same political movement have left scars. Elena, who has lived through the "revolution" her entire life, described democracy as "a dream." The U.S. has proposed a three-phase plan-stabilization, recovery, and transition-but offered no timeline for elections.
As Caracas navigates this fragile moment, the question remains: Will Maduro's removal bring tangible change, or will the cycles of hope and despair continue?
