Unlike Venezuelans abroad, those inside the country dare not celebrate the arrest of dictator Nicolás Maduro.image: keystone/watson
While Venezuelans abroad celebrate the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro, who was arrested by the US on Saturday, the mood in the country itself is very different. Even without the president, the regime is still in power. An eyewitness report.
Jan 4, 2026, 12:31 p.mJan 4, 2026, 12:31 p.m
David (not his real name) is in his early thirties and lives in Valencia, the third largest city in Venezuela with around 1.5 million inhabitants. It is about two and a half hours drive west of the capital Caracas.
In an interview with watson, David describes how he experienced the Saturday after the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, who is accused of, among other things, drug smuggling. He describes himself as “euphoric” about the fall of the dictator. But like many others, he doesn’t dare to celebrate openly – for fear of repression. Because the system continues to exist: power now lies with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
You want to remain anonymous. Fear of reprisals?
David: Yes. That’s why I contact you via an untraceable computer and not via my cell phone. The security forces continue to carry out the so-called “Operation Tun Tun” – a brutal campaign of repression against opponents of the regime that has been ongoing for years. Police or paramilitary groups loyal to the regime show up at your home and kidnap you, without justification and without a court order. You’ll end up in prison and no one will ever hear from you again.
“That’s why we Venezuelans don’t dare to celebrate the departure of Nicolás Maduro today. We stay at home and don’t post anything on social networks.”
Venezuelans abroad – like here in Panama – celebrated the arrest of Nicolas Maduro massively and demonstratively.Image: keystone
Does that mean there are no demonstrations in Valencia?
There is absolute peace, complete silence on the streets. No one dares to show their joy publicly for fear of being arrested. On the night when the news of Maduro’s arrest spread on social networks very early on Saturday morning, I briefly heard cheers. They only lasted a few minutes.
“Then shots were fired – and then everything was over immediately.”
Are there a strong security force presence?
Surprisingly not. Every now and then a single police officer patrols the area, nothing more. A friend told me that it was similar in Caracas. Here in Valencia, the police were present at the supermarkets in the afternoon – for fear of possible looting. Luckily everything remained calm, even though the shops were completely overcrowded.
Long queues in front of supermarkets can be seen on social networks.
I stood in line for two and a half hours on Saturday afternoon just to buy the essentials. Toilet paper, for example, was completely sold out.
“We are hoarding because we have no idea what will happen in the next few days.”
Only shops for everyday needs and government facilities are open.
What are you feeling at the moment?
It’s a chaos of emotions. Joy, euphoria, but also the need to cry with relief. I won’t allow that yet because I can only imagine real change when Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado – the main figures in the opposition – actually come to power. Only then will I celebrate. Because only then does real freedom begin.
Are you afraid that the transition of power will fail?
Yes. The USA must now remain consistent and remove the entire current leadership from power. If the regime’s four strong figures – Delcy Rodríguez, Jorge Rodríguez, Vladimir Padrino López and Diosdado Cabello – remain in power, things could become worse than under Maduro.
“We hope for further US intervention to remove her from office.”
But it has to happen quickly – otherwise people will lose this hope.
David says he is particularly afraid of Diosdado Cabello, interior minister and ardent supporter of Chavismo.Image: keystone
How are you currently getting information?
Through the social network X. I have to use a VPN for this because X is blocked in Venezuela. This morning, not a single public or private media reported on the US bombing of military targets, even though the information on X was spreading rapidly.
“It was only there that I found out about it – through posts from other Venezuelans and through phone calls to friends in Caracas to verify the information.”
State television speaks of Maduro’s arrest, but portrays him exclusively as a victim.
What are you going to do tonight? (the interview took place in the early evening, Saturday, Venezuelan time)?
I stay at home and hold back completely. I will take all possible safety precautions. At night, the risk of being abducted due to “suspicious behavior” is greatest. There is also a curfew. If the police or militias loyal to the regime pick you up on the street at night, they can do whatever they want with you.