As Venezuelans seek to restore normalcy after the U.S. detention of President Nicolás Maduro, the country’s authorities are cracking down on any support for removing the embattled leader.
After Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim leader on Monday, human rights groups warned that checkpoints would be set up across the country and repression would intensify amid reports of price gouging and rising hunger.
Officials on Monday issued a decree giving the president broad powers and ordering security forces to arrest “any person involved in promoting or supporting” the weekend’s U.S. attacks.
On the same day, Venezuelan security forces briefly detained 14 journalists, including one who was covering the swearing-in in Congress, according to the National Press Union. No explanation was given for their detention.
Venezuela’s Commission for the Release of Political Prisoners has found that the political prisoners have had their visitation rights suspended and are prevented from communicating with the outside world.
The commission added that checkpoints have been stepped up in cities across the country, and people are being searched and detained for possessing “digital materials” related to U.S. military operations.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello posted two videos on Instagram showing security forces in the capital. In one video, a group of armed men can be heard shouting: “Loyalty always, traitor never!”
The capital, Caracas, has been shrouded in silence and anxiety due to the shock of the January 3 attack and fear of a heavy-handed government response.
Although there are fewer soldiers patrolling the streets, there is still a large police presence in Caracas.
There are few signs of public dissent or anti-government posts on social media. Fears of retaliation are growing under a regime notorious for punishing dissent, especially as officials responsible for past crackdowns, Mr. Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, remain in office.
Since Sunday, pro-government groups have taken to the streets to demand the release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. However, these types of demonstrations are limited in size and scope.
Despite the uncertainty, Venezuelans seem ready to move forward.
More civilians were seen taking to the streets of Caracas today. Government offices are open, subways are running, nearby airports have domestic flights, and supermarkets are still selling produce to customers.
With many people staying at home due to the Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) holiday, some services are still not operating at full capacity.
However, schools are expected to reopen in the coming days and employees will return to work full time. President Padrino López on Sunday called on people to “reopen all types of activities, including economic, work and educational activities within the next few days.”
The government’s focus appears to have shifted this week to reopening the economy, with red flags flashing.
Venezuela’s currency, the bolivar, has suffered a sharp depreciation. Yesterday, there were some areas in Maracaibo where shops and stores were only accepting cash, and the exchange rate was between 900 and 1,000 Bolivares to the dollar (normally around 300 Bolivares).
Some shelves across the country are starting to empty amid reports of price gouging.
There are persistent reports of hunger in areas far from cities. In the east of the country, businesses in smaller cities have completely abolished prices.
There are many issues plaguing this country. But Venezuelans have endured years of crisis and know how to cope with adversity.
Caracas merchant Douglas Sanchez told Reuters on Monday that amid chaos and despair, “we who work every day and eat every day” must continue to earn money. “Because if I don’t go to work, I have nothing.”
