By CNN
(CNN) — One month after the US carried out an attack in Venezuela to capture its president, civilians in the South American country remain caught between uncertainty and expectations of governmental change.
Some believe the ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro offers a glimmer of hope for rebuilding institutions and guaranteeing citizens’ rights. Others question whether this new phase – which the US and the government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez call a “transition” – will lead to democracy or if the change they hope for will stay on hold.
The days since the raid on Maduro’s compound have felt slow and difficult, according to one woman who saw the explosions from a distance with her boyfriend. The woman, a bioanalyst who lives in eastern Caracas and who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said she was still recovering from the ordeal. She doesn’t go out at night and suffers from anxiety, especially if she hears fireworks or loud noises. She said she is paying close attention to the situation in the country and waiting to see if a fundamental change is possible. “A real one,” she said.
First weeks, first actions
According to Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, at least 100 people died and 100 were wounded in the US operation that culminated in the arrest of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who was also a member of parliament.
Delcy Rodríguez, then vice president, assumed the role of acting president after the Supreme Court declared Maduro’s capture a forced absence – an unprecedented situation not defined in the Venezuelan Constitution. Since then, Rodríguez has insisted that the country is experiencing a new political moment and has already made several changes within the cabinet and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces. According to experts consulted by CNN, Rodríguez has made at least 28 significant changes within the armed forces.
But a month after Maduro’s capture, while some see reason for optimism in the economy and releases of political prisoners, the country remains on an uncertain path.
In Caracas, moods fluctuate between skepticism, optimism and bewilderment. The price of meat and chicken has fallen, real estate prices have risen 22%, according to economist Asdrúbal Oliveros, and airlines are beginning to return to Venezuela, including American Airlines. However, Venezuela remains on the list of countries with partial visa restrictions, and the deportation of Venezuelans continues to be a focus of the Trump administration.
The US Embassy in Caracas resumed operations with Laura Dogu as chargé d’affaires, and Venezuela appointed diplomat Félix Plasencia as its representative to Washington. Dogu made it clear on social media that her meeting with Delcy Rodríguez and her brother National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez aimed to reiterate three priorities outlined by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: stabilization, economic recovery, and reconciliation and transition. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil said this step marks the beginning of a new era in which Venezuela is committed to upholding international law.
Some politicians, such as opposition figures Andrés Velásquez and Delsa Solórzano, have come out of hiding now that Venezuela is no longer ruled by Maduro, but at the same time they say they remain cautious, as do citizens critical of those in power.
Carlos Núñez, an administrator, remains hopeful and believes that the release of political prisoners could set a precedent in the country. He believes that many legal, economic and social issues still need to be addressed, but the releases represent a major step forward for change.