Militias, Checkpoints and Fear: Inside Venezuela as Trump Claims US Is “Running” the Country

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States is now “running” Venezuela following the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by American forces. However, conditions on the ground in Caracas present a starkly different reality — one marked by armed militias, masked gunmen, phone searches at checkpoints, and widespread fear among ordinary citizens.

In the aftermath of Maduro’s seizure and his transfer to New York to face charges, Venezuela’s power structure moved swiftly to reassert control. While Washington-backed figures signalled continuity in governance, enforcement on the streets relied heavily on force rather than institutions. Armed paramilitary groups known as colectivos were deployed across Caracas, patrolling neighbourhoods on motorbikes, setting up ad-hoc checkpoints, and conducting searches of vehicles and mobile phones.

These colectivos, long associated with Venezuela’s ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela, are deeply rooted in the political ideology of Chavismo, derived from the legacy of former president Hugo Chávez. Often operating as informal enforcers, they have historically played a central role in suppressing dissent, particularly in opposition-leaning neighbourhoods.

Multiple reports from Caracas indicate that masked gunmen have been stopping civilians, checking messaging apps, scanning social media content, and questioning residents about political affiliations. The visible objective appears to be deterrence — reinforcing the message that the state retains control despite Maduro’s removal.

Journalists have also faced heightened repression. At least 14 media personnel, many associated with international news organisations, were detained in Caracas following Maduro’s capture. While most were later released, at least one was deported. Detentions reportedly took place near the National Assembly and in opposition-dominated areas such as Altamira, underscoring growing constraints on press freedom.

Amid this atmosphere, Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, issued a public warning against internal betrayal, suggesting that “traitors” would eventually be exposed. His message reinforced fears of an internal purge targeting those suspected of supporting or welcoming US intervention.

Ordinary Venezuelans describe a climate of anxiety and repression. Residents report deleting messages from their phones before leaving home, avoiding public celebrations, and limiting movement due to fear of arbitrary detention. Gunfire incidents and reports of security forces targeting suspected drones have further heightened unease.

Despite claims from Washington that Venezuela is now under American direction, analysts argue that power remains firmly entrenched within the Chavista establishment. Commentators note that a political system consolidated over decades is unlikely to transform overnight into a proxy administration. Instead, the post-Maduro landscape reflects internal consolidation through coercion rather than reform.

An emergency decree issued by Venezuela’s interim leadership has authorised arrests of individuals accused of supporting the US operation, further shrinking civic space. The measure has empowered militias to actively hunt perceived collaborators, often branding them with slogans denouncing betrayal.

While some businesses have reopened and daily life continues in parts of Caracas, the normalcy remains fragile. For many citizens, the gap between international political claims and lived reality is glaring. The streets tell a story not of transition or stability, but of fear enforced at gunpoint.

As geopolitical manoeuvring intensifies, Venezuela finds itself suspended between foreign intervention narratives and domestic repression. Trump may claim Washington is steering Caracas, but on the ground, it is hooded gunmen, checkpoints, and intimidation that define power — leaving Venezuelans trapped in uncertainty, with little clarity on what comes next.