Joy and fear in the new Venezuela: We're caught between something that won't die and something that won't be born'

"The two Venezuelas that coexist these days walk without touching each other, while the bustling Caracas lowers its voice and witnesses movements that were unimaginable just a week ago. One Venezuela, the Chavista one, is putting up with U.S. tutelage and accepting as normal that Washington now decides the fate of its oil, while announcing a mass release of political prisoners."

"To the usual repression, millions of Venezuelans now add the silence imposed from above. In the new Venezuela, not even the families of the recently released prisoners were able to celebrate their release because the law of national commotion, passed by Delcy Rodriguez after being sworn in as acting president, seeks to maintain control of the narrative and prevents expression in the streets except to support Nicolas Maduro, now detained in a New York jail."

"We're caught between something that won't die and something that won't be born, says a PDVSA oil company worker who prefers to remain anonymous. I have a feeling this could last for years, and how does that benefit me? he asks. All I know is that now I could get into trouble for expressing my opinion and talking to you, he says from Caracas."

Two Venezuelas coexist: a Chavista elite submits to U.S. tutelage and accepts Washington's control over oil while announcing mass prisoner releases, and a muted populace remains silenced by elite agreements. The law of national commotion, enacted by Delcy Rodriguez after being sworn in as acting president, restricts public expression to support for Nicolas Maduro and prevents celebration of releases. Families and citizens fear speaking openly amid increased repression. Chavismo combines external displays of submission with harsh internal measures, leveraging media, street tactics, and weapons, while paramilitary motorcyclists assume control of many streets.

Read at english.elpais.com