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In the aftermath in Caracas, the people are responding to the news of President Nicolás Maduro's capture by US forces with a complex mix of optimism, anxiety, and doubt.

Residents started to appear in the streets over the weekend after a night marked by detonations in the valley surrounding the capital, with moods that ranged from celebration to anger.

Citizen Perspectives

Dina, a Caracas resident, expressed that for now, she is grateful for the American intervention for "removing Maduro from power" because now, she "finally glimpses some light at the end of the tunnel again".

"He says something now and tomorrow he changes his mind," she commented about the US leadership. "I find it hard to trust his promises."

The atmosphere in the country remains tense, which is part of why she did not provide her full name.

Jorge, another Venezuelan who lives near Caracas, explained that while he's grateful to be "backed by American forces", he fears the immediate future will not be easy.

"With this man's removal, what's going to happen?" Jorge asked. "It doesn't guarantee us anything. So there is a bit of uncertainty. We cannot predict what the next chapter will bring."

Loyalist Backlash

Government loyalists have also been gathering in protest of Caracas, demanding the American authorities free Maduro.

Overnight, American military units carried out a series of precision operations in Caracas, ultimately taking the country's leader into custody.

The American government charges Maduro of running a "narco-state" regime. He is broadly viewed by opponents domestically and by the international community as having illegitimately won the last presidential vote.

Maduro – who heads the United Socialist Party and has been in office since 2013 – has frequently been accused of crushing dissent and stifling criticism in Venezuela, at times with the use of violence.

What Comes Next?

As Maduro and his wife are extradited to answer to serious criminal indictments, the future of Venezuela remains in flux.

The risk of voicing opposition against Maduro is still palpable within Venezuela.

Jorge said he saw motorcyclists from pro-government groups, which are armed collectives in Venezuela, patrolling neighborhoods with weapons recently.

"It makes you a bit afraid to even go out to buy bread right now," he said. "Patience and hope are all we have."

Sandra, who lives in the Venezuelan city of Punto Fijo, shared the relief at Maduro's ousting. But, she too is skeptical about the future and what it means for the millions in exile.

Nearly eight million Venezuelans have fled Venezuela since Maduro came to power.

"This is merely the first step; we know there is still a challenging path forward," Sandra added. "No country had previously heard the cry of Venezuelans in the face of this tragedy."

For many, the only positive aspect of recent statements is the commitment of foreign investment in Venezuela, which some hope will lead to a "more stable economy" for the struggling nation.