Venezuela Tightens Public Control as Pro-Maduro Militias Appear on the Streets

Colectivo Militias Deployed for Citizen Inspections
14 Journalists Detained by Authorities

The Venezuelan government has intensified its surveillance of citizens and is cracking down on anti-government sentiment following the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro by the United States. Journalists have been detained, and organizations tasked with protecting the Maduro regime have been deployed throughout the streets.

Pro-Maduro militias deployed by Venezuelan authorities to control public opinion. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to reports from international media outlets such as the Financial Times (FT) on January 5 (local time), pro-Maduro armed groups known as "Colectivos," carrying firearms, were deployed on the streets of Caracas, the capital, that day.

These militias are reportedly conducting random checks and arresting individuals suspected of supporting the ousting of President Maduro or planning anti-government protests.

On January 3, after President Maduro was captured by U.S. forces, the Venezuelan government declared a "state of emergency due to civil unrest." Since the arrest of President Maduro and his wife, authorities have reportedly suppressed gatherings of Venezuelans celebrating the event.

Under the emergency proclamation, authorities have been granted the power to immediately search and arrest anyone who promotes or supports U.S. military attacks on Venezuelan territory.

A total of 14 journalists and media workers were detained by authorities for unclear reasons and released a few hours later. Among them, 11 were affiliated with foreign media outlets.

Most were apprehended near the National Assembly, where Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president. A Colombian broadcast team was also detained and questioned by the Venezuelan military counterintelligence agency (DGCIM).

A human rights activist in Caracas told the FT that repression had intensified significantly starting that day, and authorities were checking residents' mobile phones to see if there was any evidence of support for U.S. actions.

Colectivos were mobilized for random checks, and checkpoints were set up throughout Caracas. According to the FT, most Colectivos are under the control of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, a hardliner representing the Maduro regime who commands the police.

The Maduro regime has long suppressed protests with violence and has arrested or forced opposition figures into exile.