Venezuelan Government Fears Persist Despite Maduros Departure from Power

Venezuela’s President Maduro Flees to New York as Vice President Takes Over

Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s president, has been flown to New York by US special forces. This move comes after his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as acting president on Monday with the support of US President Donald Trump.

Rodriguez’s appointment has raised concerns among Venezuelans, who are worried about celebrating publicly against her leadership. Some have reported deleting texts, avoiding public discussions about politics, and self-censoring on social media to avoid potential repercussions.

According to authorities, at least four people have been arrested for celebrating Maduro’s capture or mocking the former leader. The government has also declared a state of emergency, ordering security forces to search for and capture individuals involved in promoting or supporting the US attack that led to Maduro’s departure.

The decree has contributed to a chilling effect among residents, who fear potential unjust imprisonment and prosecution. Some have changed their behavior, avoiding main roads and interacting with government-aligned paramilitary groups called colectivos.

As vice president, Rodriguez previously oversaw the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), which has been accused of human rights abuses by the UN. She has appointed former SEBIN director Gustavo Enrique Gonzalez Lopez as the new head of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM).

The appointment of Gonzalez Lopez has raised concerns among human rights advocates, who point to his past involvement in torture and extrajudicial killings during his time as SEBIN director.

Source: Al Jazeera