As Venezuelans try to return to a semblance of normalcy after the United States captured President Nicolas Maduro, authorities in the country are cracking down on any support for the removal of the embattled leader.
As Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s acting leader on Monday, rights groups warned of an escalation of a crackdown, with checkpoints set up across the country and reports of price gouging and rising hunger.
Officials issued a decree on Monday giving the president sweeping powers and ordering security forces to capture “anyone involved in promoting or supporting” weekend attacks in the United States.
According to the National Press Union, Venezuelan security forces temporarily detained 14 journalists that day, including those covering the swearing-in of the country’s National Assembly. No explanation was given for their detention.
Political prisoners have also had their visitation rights suspended and are barred from contact with the outside world, according to the Venezuelan Commission for the Liberation of Political Prisoners.
The committee added that checkpoints were set up in cities across the country and people were searched and detained for possessing “digital material” 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: “Always loyal, always traitor!”
On January 5, police patrolled in the center of Caracas, Venezuela. – Cristian Hernandez/AP
The capital, Caracas, has been plunged into silence and anxiety amid the shock of the January 3 attack and fear of a harsh government response.
Caracas still has a heavy police presence, although fewer soldiers patrol the streets.
There is little sign of public dissent, not even anti-government posts on social media. In a regime notorious for punishing dissent, fears of reprisal are growing, especially given that officials responsible for past crackdowns, Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, remain in office.
Pro-government groups have taken to the streets since Sunday to demand the release of Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores. But these types of demonstrations are limited in size and scope.
warning signs
Even in the face of uncertainty, Venezuelans appear ready to move on.
Today, more civilians roam the streets of Caracas. Public offices are still open, the metro is running, the nearby airport is accepting domestic flights and supermarkets are still selling produce to customers.
Some services are not yet operating at full capacity, partly due to the public holiday Three Kings Day, with many people staying at home.
But in the coming days, schools will reopen and employees are expected to return to work full-time. Padrino Lopez told people on Sunday “to resume in the coming days economic activity, work and all other types of activities, including educational activities.”
The government’s focus appears to be shifting to reopening the economy, which has sent warning signs this week.
Venezuela’s currency, the bolivar, has plummeted in value. Yesterday, shops and shops in some areas of Maracaibo only accepted cash, with an exchange rate of 900 to 1,000 bolivars to the dollar (usually around 300).
Store shelves in Venezuela are empty. – CNN
Some shelves across the country have begun to empty amid reports of price gouging.
Far from the cities, reports of hunger abound. In the east of the country, businesses in smaller cities have eliminated prices entirely.
The challenges plaguing the country are many. But Venezuelans who have lived through years of crisis know how to deal with adversity.
Caracas businessman Douglas Sanchez told Reuters on Monday that amid the chaos and desperation, “those of us who work day in and day out and eat day in and day out” must continue to make money. “Because if you don’t go out and work, you have nothing.”
CNN’s Jack Guy, Gonzalo Zegarra and Germán Padinger contributed to this report.
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