By Ginika Igboke
Since U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro, some civil liberties have begun to reemerge in Venezuela, according to sources inside the country. Citizens report modest gains in freedoms such as speech and expression, even though key figures from the same ruling structure remain in power.
“Everyone is feeling that we are getting some freedom,” said Jacobo Malkhasian, a 21-year-old resident of Caracas. “We’re getting some rights … some possibilities to now have free speech.”
Despite these developments, daily hardships persist. High inflation and economic instability continue to affect ordinary life, with little immediate improvement following the Jan. 3 operation that led to Maduro’s capture.
Several Venezuelans, both at home and abroad, expressed gratitude toward former U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military, saying a sense of relief has spread across the country. However, many caution that building a stable, free society could take years due to lingering psychological trauma from decades of repression.
Freedom of Speech Begins to Reemerge
Before Maduro’s capture, sources described a tightly controlled media environment with little room for dissent.
“[Maduro] took control of what the media says, and if the media didn’t say what he wanted, he destroyed [it],” Malkhasian said. “The news in Venezuela always was an alternate reality—the Chavista reality.”
Chavismo, the political ideology associated with Hugo Chávez and continued under Maduro, dominated public messaging, often portraying Russia as an ally and the United States as an adversary.
Malkhasian, who works with a student opposition group at the Central University of Venezuela, said political activism once carried serious risks.
“If you talk, you go to jail. If you make any discussions that get the government uncomfortable, you go to jail—you disappear,” he said.
Now, he notes, media coverage is becoming more balanced, and people are increasingly able to speak openly about the country’s challenges.
Another Caracas resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said people feel safer expressing opinions without fear of retaliation.
“People are expressing themselves with the utmost liberty,” he said. “They’re not really afraid of being taken to jail or being prosecuted because of what they say online.”
Economic Struggles and Basic Needs Persist
While political freedoms show signs of improvement, economic conditions remain dire.
“There is freedom, but in the economic way, there’s trouble,” Malkhasian said.
Oriana Campos, a 24-year-old Venezuelan, emphasized that access to basic services like water, electricity, and reliable internet remains inconsistent. In some areas, residents go days without running water.
Although there have been slight improvements in internet connectivity and some reductions in food prices, inflation and low wages continue to strain households. Venezuela’s past hyperinflation—once exceeding 225,000 percent in 2018—still casts a long shadow over the economy.
Energy control also remains a key issue. With oil and gas resources still under state control, many believe the ruling structure retains significant leverage over the population.
Renewed Rights to Assembly and Expression
Citizens are also experiencing greater freedom to protest and organize.
Campos participated in a March demonstration that reached the National Assembly—an occurrence she said would have been impossible before.
“In the past, protests were repressed with tear gas, pellets, or roadblocks,” she said.
Both Campos and Malkhasian remain active in political opposition efforts, though they acknowledge the risks have not completely disappeared. Many still view the situation as uncertain, given that much of the previous power structure remains intact.
Lingering Influence of the Old Regime
Despite Maduro’s absence, many of his allies continue to hold positions of authority.
“We know that the people that are in the government are the same,” Malkhasian said. “They still need the power, and they will do anything to keep it.”
The current leadership, including figures who served under Maduro, has signaled openness to international diplomacy. However, loyalty within the military and political elite remains a significant obstacle to deeper reform.
Observers describe the current moment as a delicate balancing act, with citizens testing the limits of their newfound freedoms while remaining cautious.
A Long Road to Lasting Change
For many Venezuelans, the recent developments bring hope—but not certainty.
“I think that more than capturing Maduro, it gave us hope,” said political refugee Daniel Tirado. “It showed the world that even dictators are not untouchable.”
Still, he believes the system itself has not fundamentally changed.
“It’s still authoritarian, just operating in a different way,” he said.
Years of repression have left lasting scars. Many who fled the country remain unable to return safely, and rebuilding trust in institutions such as the government, military, and electoral system will take time.
Hope for the Future
Despite the challenges, optimism is beginning to take root.
“At some point in my life, like all young Venezuelans, I considered emigrating,” Campos said. “But I also felt that I should be part of change and politics.”
She emphasized the importance of justice over revenge and expressed confidence in Venezuela’s long-term potential.
“Venezuela has an inexhaustible resource—its people, its resilience,” she said. “Maybe not in a year, but Venezuela will be great again.”
Others echoed this sentiment, noting that while the road ahead is difficult, the return of even limited freedoms marks an important first step.
“I think that Venezuela is going to be a great country in 20 years,” Malkhasian said. “We’re going to look back and say, ‘We did it.’”
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