As Nicolás Maduro stood handcuffed before a federal judge in New York, pleading not guilty, life in Venezuela followed a different script, one far removed from courtrooms, political rhetoric, and grand narratives. It was the script of daily survival.
"It wasn't optimism, it was necessity." This is how Venezuelan content creator Yeilove Proyectos (@yeilove360) describes her observations and experiences on the streets in the initial days following the abrupt removal of the Chavista dictator. Maduro was captured in a U.S. military operation and escorted out of the country alongside his wife, Cilia Flores.
Through a series of viral videos, Yeilove captures a sentiment shared by millions of Venezuelans: while the world scrutinized Maduro's downfall and his historic court appearance in New York, inside Venezuela, silence, anticipation, and the urgent need to address immediate concerns prevailed.
"The first day after the chaos, nothing happened, and that speaks volumes," she recounts. There were no celebrations or panic. Instead, there were long lines, rapidly emptying markets, people buying food "just in case," and others who simply couldn't leave their homes.
Outside, headlines, analyses, and a sense of relief dominated. Inside, information arrived like an echo. And echoes don't provide sustenance, order, or answers.
The contrast became even more apparent by the second day. Certain sectors began to show signs of life: restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets, and small businesses started to open their doors. Not all at once, and not everywhere.
The revival was uneven, slow, and fragmented. It wasn't a matter of confidence; it was driven by necessity, as no one paused rents, payrolls, or bills. The dollar continued to fluctuate, food remained scarce, and life demanded decisions.
"Continuing to work isn't insensitivity; it's survival," the creator emphasizes. For Yeilove, the crisis hit personally as she lost her main workspace, the platform where she had built her project over the years.
Nevertheless, she continues to create from wherever she can, carefully choosing her words, sustaining herself as best she knows how. Not out of frivolity, she clarifies, but because this is her job and her way of resisting.
"A country isn't rebuilt through enforced silence," Yeilove asserts. "It's rebuilt when people start moving again, producing, having faith in their skills, without feeling guilty for carrying on."
Her words don't delve into judicial charges or geopolitical strategies. They convey something more fundamental and harsh: how life unfolds when history accelerates above, but below, people are simply trying not to lose more than they already have.
Understanding Venezuela's Current Situation Post-Maduro
What is driving the current economic activity in Venezuela?
Economic activity is driven by a necessity to survive, as people need to manage rents, payrolls, and bills despite the uncertain situation.
How are Venezuelans coping with the recent changes in leadership?
Venezuelans are coping by focusing on immediate needs, such as acquiring food and keeping businesses running, while grappling with the contrast between external headlines and internal realities.