Between Joy and Fear
Fourth installment in the “Voices of Venezuela” essay collection: We were all expecting the events that had been announced, but we never imagined they would unfold so quickly.
Editorial Note: The author’s identity has been verified by our editorial team. Due to ongoing local safety concerns, we are publishing the author under a pseudonym.
Describing Venezuela’s current situation is difficult. It could be described as strange, a mix of contained joy and the fear of expressing it openly, a combination that leaves us feeling emotionally suffocated.
We were all expecting the events that had been announced, but we never imagined they would unfold so quickly. Being awakened in the middle of the night on January 3, 2026, by a thunderous explosion made it clear that the operation had begun. Fire in the distance and the sound of helicopters flying extremely low intensified our fear. There was no doubt this would be the longest night of our lives.
Before dawn, and with the help of social media, we were following events live. Labeled a “surgical extraction,” and still before sunrise, Nicolás Maduro was already out of Venezuela, on his way to the United States to face justice.
Venezuelans could hardly believe it. With surprise and uncertainty written all over our faces, we hugged each other and whispered our joy about what was happening. Quietly, without any outward celebration, because power remains in the hands of the same group and the threat of punishment for celebrating is still very real.
The streets were empty, with only a few people out, mostly searching for open supermarkets and pharmacies to buy food and medicine. That seemed to be the only visible concern.
Today, Monday, January 5, 2026, the country appears to be returning to a sense of normalcy. People are going back to work, and businesses are open to the public. For Venezuelans, the priority is for the situation to be resolved as quickly as possible, within the framework of the law, so that we can begin rebuilding the country we have long dreamed of.
A Venezuela with full freedoms, where human rights are respected and laws are upheld. A country where citizens row in the same direction. That is all we want.
And we will achieve it through dialogue and collective effort, through the commitment of all the citizens who, for years, have dreamed of a free Venezuela.
Zory M. Caracas, Venezuela.
Find the final essay in the “Voices of Venezuela” collection here.
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