Armed motorcycle gangs, known as the Colectivos, have begun patrolling sections of Caracas, actively hunting individuals they suspect of supporting former President Donald Trump and his military intervention in Venezuela. This alarming development follows the declaration of a 90-day state of emergency by Venezuelan authorities after the detention of Nicolas Maduro, the country’s ousted leader. Reports indicate that at least one high-ranking government official is backing these operations.
The Colectivos, paramilitary militias loyal to Maduro, have established checkpoints throughout the city. They halt vehicles, interrogate drivers, and inspect mobile phones for any evidence of support for Trump’s intervention. Many of the militia members wear masks and are armed with Kalashnikov rifles, acting as an unofficial extension of state authority in the capital.
State of Emergency and Government Response
On March 2024, Venezuelan authorities issued a directive ordering police to “immediately begin the national search and capture of everyone involved in the promotion or support for the armed attack by the United States.” This sweeping mandate has already resulted in the detention of at least 14 journalists, including 11 foreign correspondents, with the whereabouts of several others remaining unknown, according to The Telegraph.
The presence of the Colectivos has left many residents in fear, reluctant to leave their homes. One anonymous citizen opposed to Maduro expressed anxiety over the possibility of her phone being searched and the potential consequences of her dissent. In a Fox News interview, Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader, described the Colectivos as “really alarming.”
Official Statements and International Relations
The situation has drawn further attention following statements from Diosdado Cabello, Maduro’s Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace. In a release by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, Cabello asserted that Maduro is still the rightful president, urging citizens not to succumb to “the enemy’s provocations.” Videos circulating on social media show Cabello alongside militia members, chanting a slogan translated as: “Always loyal, never traitors.”
On March 2024, Trump announced a deal with the Venezuelan regime to deliver between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, potentially valued at $2 billion. He emphasized that military action leading to Maduro’s ousting was partially motivated by the desire to access Venezuela’s significant oil resources. In a post on Truth Social, he stated, “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.”
While the interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president, adopted a more conciliatory tone in a Sunday statement, extending an invitation to the U.S. government for cooperation within the framework of international law, the actions of the Colectivos starkly contrast this approach.
As the situation unfolds, the impact on both Venezuelan society and international relations remains to be seen, with many citizens living in fear of retribution from armed groups as the political climate continues to destabilize.
