The Complex Desires of a Struggling Venezuela

Venezuelans in a Time of Change

On January 4, 2026, the exit of President Nicolás Maduro marked a pivotal moment, but for many Venezuelans, the battle for a better future is just beginning. Maduro was captured and sent abroad, but an enduring question looms: can anything fundamentally change in a nation that has endured years of systemic dysfunction?

As Colette Capriles notes in her poignant guest essay for The New York Times, the current landscape reveals a haunting paradox: an absent yet omnipotent state that continues to exert influence over the lives of everyday Venezuelans.

A Fragmented State

Since the collapse of the Chávez regime, public services and infrastructure have deteriorated, reducing the government to a mere tool for self-preservation, while simultaneously crippling the civic institutions that should uphold societal fabric.

“We are not a nation held together by a government or a social contract, but a collection of individuals trapped in a struggle for survival.”

This essence of life in Venezuela echoes the struggle of many who grapple daily with economic hardship, and the grim reality of survival amid chaos and corruption. With Maduro's exit, the hope remains that the Venezuelan populace can reclaim power from a depleted state.

The Flames of Despair

Capriles reflects on conversations with students at Simón Bolívar University, shedding light on their hardships and the complexities of their reality. Here lies the deeper psychological impact of a government that has failed to provide basic necessities—this situation is not just a political vacuum but a personal crisis for each citizen.

• Many young people feel stifled by a system that rewards loyalty to the regime over intellectual potential.
• Families find themselves divided, with members seeking refuge abroad due to lack of opportunities.
• The bond between individuals and their government is fraught with distrust and resentment.

Survival Beyond Governance

Life in Venezuela today is characterized by an economy of scraps and favors. For many, success is no longer defined by participation in the state but by navigating informal networks of trade and relationships that often exploit, yet provide, essential lifelines.

As economic conditions worsen, the absence of a government that respects its civic obligations only fuels the desire for real change—change grounded not just in leadership, but in a demand for a functioning, accountable state capable of delivering on promises.

A New Future for Venezuela

Post-Maduro, Venezuelans are calling for greater transparency, accountability, and reform. Speculations around U.S intervention only complicate the situation, as concerns grow about foreign powers influencing local agency.

“It is very easy to create chaos and make a country ungovernable when the formal institutions are already broken.”

This unpredictability introduces further anxiety regarding the potential ramifications of external governance. Venezuelans understand that replacing a corrupt leader does not automatically restore functional governance. They want their future redesigned, where their interests are prioritized, allowing them to transform despair into hope.

Desire for Control

The critical sentiment resonating through these turbulent times: Venezuelans are not only longing for a new government but for a state that respects their rights. The echoes of change during the 2024 elections showcased their collective will to seek more than just political leaders but broader civil reforms that ensure dignity and justice for all.

What accompanies this historical thrust toward change is a painful awareness; many of us awaken each day with fears that challenge our notion of safety, stability, and community. This reality manifests in the eyes of Capriles's students—who often confront existential uncertainties each day, reflecting the broader societal condition.

Conclusion: The Struggle Continues

Thus, as we march toward the future, we must challenge ourselves to question every fragment of the past that has led us to this point. The struggle is not merely against individual leadership but against the systemic failures that allow such leadership to thrive.

Moving forward demands a collective commitment to rediscovering our civic identity and accountability. Only by exposing the truth, whether through journalism or grassroots activism, can we hope for the empowered change Venezuela seeks.