State of the World from NPR In Venezuela, Uncertainty Mixes with Normalcy Days After U.S. Strike
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Jan 7, 2026 Eder Peralta, an NPR international reporter stationed at the Colombia–Venezuela border, shares gripping insights following the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro. He describes the atmosphere in Cúcuta, where daily life persists amid uncertainty, contrasting celebration and grief among residents. Peralta highlights the strategic importance of oil and the emotional turmoil of Venezuelan exiles. As gunfire in Caracas signals ongoing power struggles, he reflects on the precarious political landscape and the complicated hopes of opposition figures amidst shifting alliances.
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Border Normalcy Masks Deep Uncertainty
- Life along the Colombia–Venezuela border shows outward normalcy despite deep uncertainty about Venezuela's future.
- Locals perceive the crisis as driven largely by Venezuela's oil wealth and external interest.
Restaurateur Celebrates Maduro's Removal
- Eduardo Espinel organized a celebration after Maduro was ousted and thanked the U.S. for removing him.
- He framed Maduro as having split families and blamed the regime for causing exile and suffering.
Aida's Hope Tempered By Worry
- Aida, 72, crosses the International Bridge and recalls the failed 2019 expectation of change under Juan Guaidó.
- She feels hopeful but also fearful, concluding that the only recourse is to trust in God.