Jan 3, 2026, 5:31 p.mJan 3, 2026, 5:31 p.m
Fear, confusion, relief: The US attack on Venezuela startled many people in the country during the night. But there is also a lot of hope associated with the news that President Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by US forces. A 56-year-old woman from the east of the capital Caracas describes to dpa how she experienced the night:
“It started after midnight. We heard explosions in the distance and saw lights in the sky. At first I thought they were firecrackers or fireworks. We also heard planes and helicopters. Then suddenly it was completely quiet. Only when we heard that Maduro had been caught could we hear screams of joy,” said the eyewitness.
“The streets are deserted.”
eyewitness
“We are happy, but we are also very afraid because we don’t know what will happen now, especially since other heads of the government are still there,” the woman continued. “Now (9 a.m. time) the streets here are deserted, like on a holiday. Everything is closed, only the pharmacy on the corner is open, but only as an emergency service through a small window.”
Empty streets in Caracas.Image: keystone
People stock up on food
According to reports from other residents of the capital, the metro is out of service and there appears to be no bus service. The Colombian broadcaster Caracol reports from an open supermarket in Caracas: Many people are stocking up on non-perishable food, canned goods and water. Only groups of 25 people are allowed in at a time.
In northwestern Venezuela, people are stocking up on food.Image: keystone
Residents of the Venezuelan Andean city of Mérida also report almost deserted streets. There are only queues in front of some supermarkets. But armed government supporters on motorcycles could also be seen.
“We hope that everything will be better now.”
A young Venezuelan woman at the border crossing between Colombia and Venezuela near Cúcuta told the broadcaster RCN: “We hope that everything will get better now and that everyone who fled Venezuela can return. I will now try to get to my family in Caracas as quickly as possible.” There was speculation in the Colombian media that Venezuela could close its borders with its neighboring country.
A 58-year-old man who is currently on Margarita Island, which is popular with Venezuelan tourists, says: “I’m now opening the bottle of whiskey that I had prepared for that day.” (sda/dpa)