Maduro's gone: Why are Venezuelans still afraid of the government?

"With the repressive machinery Maduro used still in place, many Venezuelans are scared to celebrate his departure. Some 2,000 miles (3,200km) now separate Venezuelans from Nicolas Maduro, their abducted president, who United States special forces have flown to New York. But Mario, a Caracas resident, is worried about celebrating publicly against the ouster of a leader who oversaw a government apparatus that to many Venezuelans became synonymous with repression."

"Her track record within the Maduro establishment has many Venezuelans on edge; deleting texts, avoiding talking about politics in public, and self-censoring on social media, according to people interviewed by Al Jazeera. Since the US bombing, Venezuelan police have announced the arrest of at least four people for celebrating Maduro's capture or mocking the former leader. [The police] apprehended two citizens in Guaraque who were celebrating the kidnapping of President Maduro, read one statement from police in the western city of Merida;"

"The crackdown comes after the government on Saturday decreed a state of emergency, ordering security forces to immediately undertake the search and capture of any person involved in promoting or supporting the armed attack by the United States of America and to prosecute them. Screenshots of the decree have circulated on social media, contributing to what some residents say is a chilling effect."

Repressive machinery used by Nicolas Maduro remains in place, causing widespread fear of public celebration after his removal. United States special forces flew Maduro to New York, while Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as acting president with US endorsement. Rodriguez's record in the Maduro establishment has prompted people to delete texts, avoid political conversations in public, and self-censor on social media. Security forces have arrested at least four people for celebrating or mocking Maduro. A state-of-emergency decree orders searches, captures and prosecutions related to the US attack, and screenshots of the decree circulating online have produced a chilling effect on residents.

Read at www.aljazeera.com