Civil war fears grow as heavily armed far-left militias take over streets of Caracas

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Trump and the State Department are already botching this and it hasn't even been three days. Leaving Maduro's regime in place is a galactically stupid idea. They're going to continue to engage in civil rights abuses and squash any continued resistance on the streets. Edmundo Gonzalez was the rightful winner of the 2024 presidential election and he should have been installed to take over the country. He would have control of the military and could deal with this problem.

Collectivos, a far-left heavily armed militia, are on the streets of Caracas and the tension in the country is sky high. Gunfire erupted last night near the presidential palace, although Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information later claimed it was the police firing at drones that were “flying without permission.” It comes after Maduro confronted a protester who was incarcerated by his regime and gave a shocking remark to a judge.

Speaking to the Express US, Pedro Garmendia, the director of The Pinafore Group, a geopolitical risk and strategic intelligence advisory firm with expertise on Venezuela said: "They are armed with very powerful guns and have been controlling the streets ever since Maduro was taken. In the past, when things have gotten difficult for Chavismo, it's been the collectivos that have kept power.

Civil war fears explode as heavily armed militias take over Caracas streets

Gunfire was heard across Caracas last night as tensions remain sky high after the US raid captured the country's president

www.the-express.com

Allowing these people to stay in power is quickly deflating the hopes of the Venezuelan people that any liberation took place and Trump's declaration that we will run the country in the interim, while leaving Delcy Gonzalez in place doesn't make us look much different than the other foreign bad actors, like Russia, China, and Iran, who wanted to take advantage of the country instead of returning it to the people.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Trump and the State Department are already botching this and it hasn't even been three days. Leaving Maduro's regime in place is a galactically stupid idea. They're going to continue to engage in civil rights abuses and squash any continued resistance on the streets. Edmundo Gonzalez was the rightful winner of the 2024 presidential election and he should have been installed to take over the country. He would have control of the military and could deal with this problem.

Collectivos, a far-left heavily armed militia, are on the streets of Caracas and the tension in the country is sky high. Gunfire erupted last night near the presidential palace, although Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information later claimed it was the police firing at drones that were “flying without permission.” It comes after Maduro confronted a protester who was incarcerated by his regime and gave a shocking remark to a judge.

Speaking to the Express US, Pedro Garmendia, the director of The Pinafore Group, a geopolitical risk and strategic intelligence advisory firm with expertise on Venezuela said: "They are armed with very powerful guns and have been controlling the streets ever since Maduro was taken. In the past, when things have gotten difficult for Chavismo, it's been the collectivos that have kept power.

Civil war fears explode as heavily armed militias take over Caracas streets

Gunfire was heard across Caracas last night as tensions remain sky high after the US raid captured the country's president

www.the-express.com

Allowing these people to stay in power is quickly deflating the hopes of the Venezuelan people that any liberation took place and Trump's declaration that we will run the country in the interim, while leaving Delcy Gonzalez in place doesn't make us look much different than the other foreign bad actors, like Russia, China, and Iran, who wanted to take advantage of the country instead of returning it to the people.

I can't lie, it didn't make sense to me to keep the same government either other than the U.S not wanting to appear to be installing a government. The fact is though that the election was stolen and all the citizens know this so they should have said "the rightful winner is now the president again and within 90 days there will be an election again to confirm this or let them choose a new leader"

CHina and Russia will fund the far-left to try and cut off any of the U.S influence and so the long term result could be the increased prospects of a war if they bobble this.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

I can't lie, it didn't make sense to me either other than the U.S not wanting to appear to be installing a government. The fact is though that the election was stolen and all the citizens know this.

That's just it. We wouldn't be installing a government; we'd be removing the government that was installed. My thoughts are they left Rodriguez in place because we can control her and get her to bend to our will, whereas we wouldn't have that leverage over Gonzalez.

 

[martybegan]

That's just it. We wouldn't be installing a government; we'd be removing the government that was installed. My thoughts are they left Rodriguez in place because we can control her and get her to bend to our will, whereas we wouldn't have that leverage over Gonzalez.

Or maybe the US is worried Gonazlez would be assassinated if allowed to take over right away.

I have a feeling a lot of low level Generals and Colonels in the Venezuelan military are getting phone calls from US aligned parties.

 

[Eman623]

In Iraq we took out the entire government and instituted Debathification. That didn't end well.

Keeping the existing government in place is not ideal, but at least the local police will still be around to stop wholesale looting and murder. The trash will continue to be collected and the lights will stay on.

 

[Meathead]

Trump and the State Department are already botching this and it hasn't even been three days. Leaving Maduro's regime in place is a galactically stupid idea. They're going to continue to engage in civil rights abuses and squash any continued resistance on the streets. Edmundo Gonzalez was the rightful winner of the 2024 presidential election and he should have been installed to take over the country. He would have control of the military and could deal with this problem.

Collectivos, a far-left heavily armed militia, are on the streets of Caracas and the tension in the country is sky high. Gunfire erupted last night near the presidential palace, although Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information later claimed it was the police firing at drones that were “flying without permission.” It comes after Maduro confronted a protester who was incarcerated by his regime and gave a shocking remark to a judge.

Speaking to the Express US, Pedro Garmendia, the director of The Pinafore Group, a geopolitical risk and strategic intelligence advisory firm with expertise on Venezuela said: "They are armed with very powerful guns and have been controlling the streets ever since Maduro was taken. In the past, when things have gotten difficult for Chavismo, it's been the collectivos that have kept power.

Civil war fears explode as heavily armed militias take over Caracas streets

Gunfire was heard across Caracas last night as tensions remain sky high after the US raid captured the country's president

www.the-express.com

Allowing these people to stay in power is quickly deflating the hopes of the Venezuelan people that any liberation took place and Trump's declaration that we will run the country in the interim, while leaving Delcy Gonzalez in place doesn't make us look much different than the other foreign bad actors, like Russia, China, and Iran, who wanted to take advantage of the country instead of returning it to the people.

Did it occur to you that maybe Trump learned something from Iraq when we dismantled everything?

Trump got rid of the thug and gave the people a chance. Let the Venezuelans sort it out.

 

[JLW]

Gee..just like Iraq...Who would have thunk it?

Birds of a Feather

 

[1srelluc]

Hell, you know Latin America can't resist a good civil war.

It's like a cop be called to a domestic....Give them time to sort it out and then take the loser to the hospital and the winner to jail.

 

[Meathead]

Gee..just like Iraq...Who would have thunk it?

View attachment 1202241

Birds of a Feather

The inadvertent point of this thread that it is not just like Iraq, posted by a TDSer no less.

 

[JLW]

Trump and the State Department are already botching this and it hasn't even been three days. Leaving Maduro's regime in place is a galactically stupid idea. They're going to continue to engage in civil rights abuses and squash any continued resistance on the streets. Edmundo Gonzalez was the rightful winner of the 2024 presidential election and he should have been installed to take over the country. He would have control of the military and could deal with this problem.

Collectivos, a far-left heavily armed militia, are on the streets of Caracas and the tension in the country is sky high. Gunfire erupted last night near the presidential palace, although Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information later claimed it was the police firing at drones that were “flying without permission.” It comes after Maduro confronted a protester who was incarcerated by his regime and gave a shocking remark to a judge.

Speaking to the Express US, Pedro Garmendia, the director of The Pinafore Group, a geopolitical risk and strategic intelligence advisory firm with expertise on Venezuela said: "They are armed with very powerful guns and have been controlling the streets ever since Maduro was taken. In the past, when things have gotten difficult for Chavismo, it's been the collectivos that have kept power.

Civil war fears explode as heavily armed militias take over Caracas streets

Gunfire was heard across Caracas last night as tensions remain sky high after the US raid captured the country's president

www.the-express.com

Allowing these people to stay in power is quickly deflating the hopes of the Venezuelan people that any liberation took place and Trump's declaration that we will run the country in the interim, while leaving Delcy Gonzalez in place doesn't make us look much different than the other foreign bad actors, like Russia, China, and Iran, who wanted to take advantage of the country instead of returning it to the people.

I would also add that like Saddam Huessein, Maduro, as bad as he was, kept Venzuela from becoming a failed state. Much like Saddam. Cheer that Maduro is gone, but now new evil forces will be on the ascendency, Farc, drug gangs, cartels, separatist guerillas are all based in the Amazon. Ecuador, Columbia and Peru already have issues fighting cartels and gueriilas and now these nations may be more in peril and even Brazil may see a resurgence of this violence as these groups grow stronger.

Trump and Trumpers have never been deep thinkers. They want instant gratification and act on instinct. So here we are now on the verge of a new South America modelled after the new Middle East these same neocons and nutjobs created.

You attack a nation without a plan for what follows expect chaos. Failed Invasions 101.

 

[Meathead]

I would also add that like Saddam Huessein, Maduro, as bad as he was, kept Venzuela from becoming a failed state.

Eh?

 

[Cassandro]

Trump and Trumpers have never been deep thinkers. They want instant gratification and act on animal instinct. So here we are now on the verge of a new South America modelled after the new Middle East these same neocons and nutjobs created.

So you are opposed to Maduro's apprehension?

 

[JLW]

So you are opposed to Maduro's apprehension?

I am opposed to invading a nation and watching it slip into chaos and civil war because "der leader" did not plan for its aftermath.

Maduro was a bad guy, but what may follow may be much worse...just like Iraq.

 

[Zincwarrior]

I am opposed to invading a nation and watching it slip into chaos and civil war because "der leader" did not plan for its aftermath.

Maduro was a bad guy, but what may follow may be much worse...just like Iraq.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/06/venezulea-maduro-rodriguez-government-repression/

Fear grips Caracas as a new wave of repression is unleashed in Venezuela

Venezuela’s government launched a far-reaching crackdown after Maduro’s ouster, detaining journalists and civilians and sending armed gangs to the streets.

For a brief moment, some Venezuelans allowed themselves to celebrate.

When they learned Saturday that strongman Nicolás Maduro had been seized by U.S. Special Forces, many group chats filled with messages of joy and relief. Some people cried. One family in Caracas opened a bottle of champagne they had bought months earlier and saved for a special occasion. After more than a decade of living under Maduro, there were cautious hopes for a different future.

By Monday, however, those feelings had been replaced by more familiar ones: fear, dread and uncertainty.

Venezuela’s government has moved quickly to suppress any public expression of support for Maduro’s ouster, launching a nationwide crackdown that has included the detention of journalists, the arrest of civilians and the deployment of armed gangs across the capital.

“It feels like it did after the presidential elections in 2024,” said María, 55, who like others in this story spoke on the condition that they be identified by their first name, or on the condition of anonymity, for fear of reprisals. “We won, but we also lost,” she said, referring to the country’s last elections, in which Maduro claimed victory despite tallies showing the opposition had prevailed.

Petra Matute, 57, outside her home in Caracas on Monday. Matute said she was happy about the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro because things may change for her family members who had left the country in search of a better life, but angry because she can't celebrate while paramilitary members are policing her community. (For The Washington Post)

Matute washed her Venezuela cap in December as an act of hope. When it dried, she said, “I will wear you soon, baby doll.” (For The Washington Post)

The crackdown unfolded as Delcy Rodríguez, the country’s vice president, was sworn in as interim president Monday at the National Assembly. Senior military officials publicly pledged their loyalty to her — a signal that while the country had a new leader, the old power structure remained in place.

At least 14 journalists and media workers were detained Monday — including 11 working for international outlets, according to the National Press Workers Union. Most, the union said, were held for several hours and later released, but several reported that military counterintelligence officers searched their phones. Many of the detentions took place near the National Assembly as Rodríguez took the oath of office in a ceremony overseen by her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who heads the legislature.

 

[Harry Dresden]

I would also add that like Saddam Huessein, Maduro, as bad as he was, kept Venzuela from becoming a failed state. Much like Saddam. Cheer that Maduro is gone, but now new evil forces will be on the ascendency, Farc, drug gangs, cartels, separatist guerillas are all based in the Amazon. Ecuador, Columbia and Peru already have issues fighting cartels and gueriilas and now these nations may be more in peril and even Brazil may see a resurgence of this violence as these groups grow stronger.

Trump and Trumpers have never been deep thinkers. They want instant gratification and act on instinct. So here we are now on the verge of a new South America modelled after the new Middle East these same neocons and nutjobs created.

You attack a nation without a plan for what follows expect chaos. Failed Invasions 101.

Venezuela was not doing very good...maduro wasnt helping that country at all...

 

[Darkwind]

Or maybe the US is worried Gonazlez would be assassinated if allowed to take over right away.

I have a feeling a lot of low level Generals and Colonels in the Venezuelan military are getting phone calls from US aligned parties.

My thought is:

The US State Department has those who remain on a short leash and has threatened them if they get out of line before the new elections.

It isn't unheard of, and there are historic precedents.

The smart play is to carry out the plan in silence, then present a complete package that changes the authority metric.

The most brilliant play is just to keep silent and let the goo collectors just stew in their own collective warmth.

If it goes well, then present the fait accompli late Summer and ensure that the midterms go the GOP way.

 

[Darkwind]

I would also add that like Saddam Huessein, Maduro, as bad as he was, kept Venzuela from becoming a failed state. Much like Saddam. Cheer that Maduro is gone, but now new evil forces will be on the ascendency, Farc, drug gangs, cartels, separatist guerillas are all based in the Amazon. Ecuador, Columbia and Peru already have issues fighting cartels and gueriilas and now these nations may be more in peril and even Brazil may see a resurgence of this violence as these groups grow stronger.

Trump and Trumpers have never been deep thinkers. They want instant gratification and act on instinct. So here we are now on the verge of a new South America modelled after the new Middle East these same neocons and nutjobs created.

You attack a nation without a plan for what follows expect chaos. Failed Invasions 101.

Venezuela IS A FAILED STATE.

 

[g5000]

Venezuela IS A FAILED STATE.

Gosh, what a well thought-out contribution, neocon boi! Golly!

Trump shows the world once again he is a ******* idiot.

Trump left the current power structure in place in Venezuela because some other ******* idiot reminded him that when Bush demobilized the Iraqi power structure, they all became insurgents.

So the dumb ***** decided the key to nation building is to enact regime change and leave the power structure in place!

They are going to discover their false ******* premise is about to create even more instability and drag us into yet another quagmire.

The current power structure in Venezuela is pro-Maduro, and the military in particular are chavismos thoroughly committed to the socialist ideology of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.

So celebrations of Maduro's overthrow will NOT be tolerated.

Recriminations are already occurring.

Fear grips Caracas as a new wave of repression is unleashed in Venezuela​

Venezuela’s government has moved quickly to suppress any public expression of support for Maduro’s ouster, launching a nationwide crackdown that has included the detention of journalists, the arrest of civilians and the deployment of armed gangs across the capital.

[snip]

Authorities also moved against ordinary citizens — empowered by a “state of external commotion” decree that ordered Venezuela’s national, state and municipal police forces to immediately search for and arrest anyone “involved in promoting or supporting the armed attack by the United States of America.” The decree, which entered into force Saturday but was published in full Monday, also suspended the right to protest and authorized broad restrictions on movement and assembly.




Trump is telling you neocons he just liberated Venezuela.


.

 

[my2¢]

I sought out an English newspaper from down there and came across this article from the Caracas Chronicles that unfortunately supports statement made in the thread's opening post:

So far, the most visible winners of the post-Maduro moment are not opposition leaders, but many of Maduro’s former allies

Even more telling is that while the armed forces appear to have retreated to their barracks, colectivos have rapidly expanded their role in Caracas from tolerated enforcers to de facto authorities. They patrol neighborhoods, gather intelligence, intimidate opponents, and perform basic law-enforcement functions with a confidence that suggests not stabilization, but delegation. Where, exactly, the United States is exerting the control President Trump claims to hold over Venezuela’s transition remains unclear, and, for now, largely the stuff of rumor.

Rodríguez may offer a fresher, more professional face at the head of the regime, but the internal knife-fighting, the power jockeying, and the coercive architecture remain firmly in place.