Venezuelan Street Slang – DW – January 8, 2026
In the streets of Caracas, there is fear, uncertainty and much caution, but also hope. the extraction operation of Nicolás Maduro by the United States in the early hours of Saturday, January 3rd, kept Venezuela in suspense and its capital, literally, awake. Many still have the deafening noise of the planes etched in their heads. However,the future is far from clear.
On Thursday, January 8th, US President Donald Trump hinted, in an interview with the *New York Times*, that the current situation could last for years: “Onyl time will tell,” he said.
“There is a lot of anxiety regarding what comes after the fall of Maduro, because the political elite of Caracas is still there,” says Jesús Renzullo, a venezuelan researcher at GIGA. According to Renzullo, the analysis that Venezuelans make of their situation is influenced, above all, by whether the person commenting “is free to speak and, in this case, those who are outside of Venezuela have more advantages.” Also by whether one is able to distance oneself “emotionally.” And that is difficult.
Escalation of Repression
“Maduro’s vice president, now interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, remains in power and the truth is that the apparatus of repression and security…
Delcy Rodríguez assumed the Venezuelan presidency following Nicolás Maduro’s resignation, a move supporters claim adheres to the constitution and signals broader change.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado accuses Rodríguez of orchestrating human rights abuses within the country. However, some view her as capable and results-oriented.
“The business sector maintains good communication channels with the vice president, now acting president,” says Asdrúbal Oliveros, director of Ecoanalítica. He explains that, as economy minister, she represents a shift from the previous governance’s dismissive attitude toward entrepreneurs and lack of direct communication. It remains uncertain whether she “can unite the different factions within Chavismo, especially after such a traumatic event.”
“It’s obviously a change, a transition… perhaps not to the extent expected, but a transition nonetheless,” Oliveros states. “Hopefully, and I beleive this is what Venezuelans desire, this will lead to stronger institutional agreements and a much-needed democratization of the country.” Currently, Caracas operates under a government, according to analyst Ricardo Ríos.