Caracas remains tense as US attacks and Maduro abduction shock Venezuelans

The unprecedented US attacks on Venezuela that reportedly left dozens, including many civilians, dead and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores have evoked a range of emotions among Venezuelans, from anger and hope to anxiety.

For Lola, who lives in the capital, Caracas, the US raid in the early hours of January 3 has left her with sadness and concern, but also pride.

"I never thought something like this could happen in my country," Lola, who only gave her first name, tells TRT World in a phone interview.

"I also feel more Chavista than ever in my life. I am proud of the courage shown by my president, who never sold himself, and I believe I have never realised how much I love my country and how much I am willing to do to protect it."

"Chavista" refers to a supporter of the former Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, and his political ideology, Chavismo, which is a left-wing populist movement.

Lola says the US assault resulted in fatalities within her community, reporting a local 20-year-old soldier killed in a US attack, and her friend lost a relative in a US strike on a residential zone.

She says some Venezuelans are content with the outcome, clarifying that she is not upset with them, "because they don't understand that [US] sanctions are the main cause of the crisis."

Ongoing unrest

Caracas remains tense in the aftermath of a US attack that involved air strikes, helicopters, and special forces, resulting in dozens of fatalities, including civilians and military personnel.

Fifty-five Cuban and Venezuelan soldiers were killed during the US attack, according to tolls published on Tuesday by the two Latin American allies.

A US indictment on Monday alleged Maduro colluded with cartels to traffic cocaine into the US, potentially facing life imprisonment if found guilty. Defiant Maduro declared himself "the president of my country" in a New York court as he protested his abduction and pleaded not guilty to US charges.

Maduro’s ally Delcy Rodriguez, who has been sworn in as interim president, has vowed to seek Maduro's return while engaging in dialogue with Washington.

However, the capital is experiencing ongoing protests, security crackdowns, and sporadic violence.

Thousands rallied for Maduro in Caracas on Monday as well as on Tuesday. 

On Monday, in downtown Caracas, thousands of Maduro supporters held a “Great March for Venezuela,” denouncing the US military attacks. The protesters carried banners and chanted: “We want him back,” “Return our working-class president,” “Sovereignty is not negotiable,” and “We will always be loyal to Maduro.”

On Tuesday, a massive crowd took to the streets of the capital, waving Venezuelan flags and demanding freedom of President Maduro and the First Lady from US custody.

"The majority of businesses, stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies were closed. People were lining up to buy food, water, and everything else to survive," a government supporter, who wished to remain anonymous, tells TRT World of the situation that unfolded immediately after the January 3 attacks. 

"The currency, the US dollar value, went up. It tripled from its original value. It was a very serious situation. It was just a small operation. Imagine if it was larger, much larger, which is pretty much what they're proposing," he says.

Calling the US attack "unjust", he says, the US military violated international law and "Venezuelan sovereignty, murdering people, innocent people".

‘Trying to survive in chaos’ 

Camila Vesco, 22, says she opposes the US military attacks on Venezuela.

She suggests many Venezuelans are hesitant to voice opinions on the US-sparked crisis in the Latin American nation, fearing potential repercussions.

"They are only trying to survive in all this chaos, looking for food, trying to find solutions to survive one day at a time."

Trump said on Saturday the US would control Venezuela temporarily and reiterated on Sunday night that "we’re in charge." But his top diplomat Marco Rubio later told local media that the US would not govern the country day-to-day other than enforcing an existing "oil quarantine."

Maduro and the Venezuelan government attribute US hostility to a desire for Venezuela's abundant oil and mineral wealth.

Meanwhile, the situation in Caracas remains tense.

Early on Tuesday, gunfire and anti-aircraft fire erupted across parts of the capital, with videos showing flashes in the sky and reports of drones or aircraft overhead.

Power outages occurred in some areas, and vehicle convoys were seen moving through the city.

Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information said police fired at drones that were "flying without permission" near the Miraflores Palace — the head office of the president of Venezuela.

The ministry stated that there was no confrontation and the country is entirely calm.

Later on, massive pro-Maduro protests erupted in the streets of the capital, with more rallies planned for Wednesday.