The Aspirations of Venezuelans for Their Nation

Following an American military operation over the weekend to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a heavy atmosphere of unpredictability has descended over the nation.

Currently, Maduro is under the custody of US authorities after his appearance in a federal court in New York. In his absence, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed temporary leadership of Venezuela. However, she has faced new warnings from President Donald Trump, should she choose to ignore US directives.

In this intense situation, what is the general mood among Venezuelans? According to Ana Vanessa Herrero, a journalist stationed in Caracas, the overall sentiment among citizens is quite varied. There are those who are jubilant, while others are anxious and worried about what the future holds. Some are stocking up on essentials in case of further military actions by the US as indicated by Trump.

Noel King, the host of Today, Explained, engaged with Herrero to discuss her observations and the prevailing feeling across Venezuela, which could point to future developments.

The following is a segment of their dialogue, adjusted for brevity and lucidity. To access the complete podcast, tune into Today, Explained, available on multiple platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Current Events

A lot is transpiring. From Saturday onward, there has been widespread speculation about the next steps. Within just two days, Venezuelans witnessed what could be their first taste of warfare in centuries, compounded by the fact that Nicolás Maduro is no longer present in the country, all unfolding rapidly. This is a defining moment for both Maduro's critics and his supporters.

Surprisingly, despite the tension, no military presence or police were observed on the streets. Residents were merely going about their day, queuing outside grocery stores and pharmacies to gather necessities like water and food to prepare for any unforeseen events.

By Sunday, a similar scenario unfolded and people began attempting to resume normalcy. Shopping centers are opening for limited hours.

The serenity following the chaos was unexpected. I spoke with an older woman who confided that, throughout her life in Venezuela, she had never felt such acute stress; she simply wanted to sleep and address issues later. Many others share a similar insomnia, wary of potential renewed bombings.

At any noise similar to an aircraft, immediate anxiety sets in as people attempt to comprehend the situation.

The Leader in Transition

Delcy Rodríguez, known for her staunch opposition to US policies towards Venezuela and broader South American matters, had been a vehement critic of Donald Trump and his stance on Maduro. With deep leftist roots, Rodríguez is the offspring of a left-leaning figure and was closely allied with the late Hugo Chavez during his reign, eventually becoming a key figure after his demise by working with Maduro. Her recent sudden shift in rhetoric is drawing significant attention.

Initially, Rodríguez condemned the capture of Maduro as an illegal abduction and called upon the US and Trump to release him.

Yet, not long after, she convened with former Maduro administration members, invited the US to a collective agenda, and left much unsaid, prompting further curiosity.

It's difficult to ascertain her motivations, though Trump's apparent threats may have influenced her stance. Whether she intends to enact law changes benefiting the US, or re-establish diplomatic ties, remains uncertain. The phrase ‘joint agenda’ has left much to speculation.

Public Reactions and Aspirations

While survival remains the immediate priority, some are slowly beginning to address the broader implications. Some citizens prefer national governance without external intervention, advocating for 'Venezuela for Venezuelans.'

Conversely, some individuals wouldn’t mind US stewardship as long as it excludes Maduro. Nonetheless, uncertainty prevails about what such an arrangement would entail, with various interpretations about what 'running the country' could mean.

A Look Towards the Future

A significant portion of the population pushes for elections. In 2024, when the presidential outcomes were ignored by Maduro who claimed victory without evidence, a fair electoral process became a rallying point. The Constitution stipulates that any power vacuum should be followed by elections within a month, yet under current unprecedented circumstances, the follow-through remains uncertain.

At present, Venezuelans are navigating a state of shock, focused on securing essential provisions in anticipation of further instability — a sentiment driven by past experiences of upheaval and disaster.