Trump promised Venezuela prosperity after capturing its president. Locals see no difference

in brief

Donald Trump's stunning January abduction of Nicolás Maduro promised to change the beleaguered South American country.

Locals say that already-dire conditions have not improved since the US toppled the government.

From a hillside neighbourhood in Venezuela's capital, Patricia Mata saw a seismic political event unfold — a moment that shook not only her country, but the world.

On 3 January, her country's president Nicholás Maduro was captured by the United States in a night-time raid, after US forces launched strikes across Venezuela.

"I could clearly see the missile when it was fired, the marks that it left, the impact. My walls shook and the windows," she recalled of the operation.

In the days following, there was confusion about who was running the country as Maduro was transferred to the US to face a string of charges, including narco-terrorism.

US President Donald Trump declared he was "in charge" and that Venezuela was under his protectorate — in particular, its vast oil reserves.

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The country's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in days after Maduro's capture, and has since handled domestic affairs — including the response to the devastating twin earthquakes which struck last month, leaving thousands dead and many more displaced.

Six months after US intervention, many Venezuelans told SBS News very little has changed — food is even more expensive and freedom of expression remains stifled.

The initial political upheaval gave opposition activists such as Alida Hernandez hope that the country's dire economic situation would finally improve.

"When they took Nicolás Maduro, I thought it was the end, I thought that's it, they took him, let's rebuild," she told SBS News.

"We're still suffering, we're still scared, we're still in the same uncertainty."

'Happy country'

Despite Venezuela having the world's largest proven crude oil reserves, it produces only around a million barrels a day — less than the daily needs of Australia.

Last month, Trump said millions of barrels had been extracted from Venezuela since the US took control of its oil, to the benefit of both countries.

"Now we're making a lot of money with Venezuela. And Venezuela is doing great. It's a happy country now," he said on 23 June.

But that money is nowhere to be seen among the people SBS News spoke to.

Social worker Iris Useche questioned who the money was going to.

"They say that money from oil is coming in, but we don't see it," she said. "Who are they giving it to? How are they distributing it? The hospitals stay the same."

Life remains as tough as it used to be. Families are forced to create makeshift stoves because there's no gas, electricity frequently cuts out, and their water comes from tanks.

What's more, there is widespread distrust and fear of the authorities.

Venezuelans told SBS News they feel in "limbo" — not just under the control of the same administration that was headed by Maduro but now the Trump administration too.

When asked who she felt was in charge of the country, Useche wasn't sure.

"I don't know," she said. "The truth is we don't know if it's Trump or Delcy because we don't see change. We are in the same situation."

And though she feared voicing her concerns to the media, Useche said she had to speak out.

"Unfortunately, we have to do it. We can't stay silent."

'Good times are coming'

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been demanding fresh elections for months but remains barred from returning to the country.

Fervent believers of the socialist government reject her calls, demanding instead the immediate return of Maduro, who they say was kidnapped in a gross violation of international law.

Lisandro Perez, head of a local civil armed group, or 'colectivo', is one such supporter.

"I felt indignation, a lot of anger and sadness because he's my friend, we've known each other since we were kids," Perez said about Maduro's capture.

He blames the US for the country's economic hardship.

"Why the US? Because they are the ones who imposed trade sanctions."

Maduro took office in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez, who had served as president since 1999. By that point, his predecessor's economic policies had caused inflation to spike to 56 per cent, International Monetary Fund data shows.

The US imposed financial sanctions in 2017, exacerbating the deep economic and humanitarian crisis Venezuela was already experiencing

Its economy shrank 70 per cent in a decade, described by some academics as the worst collapse outside of war in modern history.

As it celebrates 215 years of independence, the ongoing regime continues to face serious tests.

Rodriguez announced a new military unit for emergency and disaster management in the wake of the twin quakes.

It's a move likely to enrage earthquake victims who are returning to damaged homes to salvage what they can, and who say they simply can't afford to start over.

But some, like Alida Hernandez, still hang on to hope.

"I have all the certainty that good times are coming for Venezuela."

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