CARACAS—Venezuela is experiencing a new wave of protests following the departure of Nicolás Maduro from power, with demonstrations in recent days bringing citizens back to the streets of Caracas, other regions of the country, and even other nations.
The recent demonstrations have focused on various demands:
workers are calling for better wages and public services, while opposition
groups are demanding the release of political prisoners, a timetable for
presidential elections, and the return of María Corina Machado to the country.
Last Sunday, September 27, and again yesterday, September
28, demonstrations were also held in Caracas, Valencia, Maracaibo, and other
cities, as well as in other countries, to demand Machado's safe return and the
holding of presidential elections.
This social mobilization comes as Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's
former vice president, heads the government as interim president. Rodríguez has
stated that there will be elections and that her administration is holding
talks with sectors of the opposition.
In this context, messages circulating on social media
describe the current demonstrations as a widespread celebration of Maduro's
downfall. However, recent reports paint a broader picture, with protests also
driven by the economic crisis, power outages, wages, political rights, and the
demand for elections.
This situation keeps Venezuela in a process of political
transition, the outcome of which will depend, among other factors, on the
conditions under which the next elections are called and conducted.