Venezuelans prepare for new political era after Maduro's removal

Amna Nawaz:

And now we return to Venezuela for a report from the ground.

We're joined again tonight by Mary Triny Mena of Feature Story News in Caracas.

Mary, it's good to see you again.

Yesterday, you described your reporting on the ground as you talked to people there. You said the two words you would use to describe the mood would be shock and concern. How would you describe what it feels like today? What are you hearing?

Mary Triny Mena, Feature Story News:

Well, so far, people are -- keep following the news.

And, today, there was the official -- Delcy Rodriguez became officially the president of Venezuela. So -- but for many Venezuelans that had the chance to see it, it was a sign that the country is moving on to a new era, even though there are -- these are the same faces that they have been seeing for the past decade, because many of the members of this new government are loyalists to the government of Nicolas Maduro.

Delcy Rodriguez, when she was sweared in, she said that she received this presidency with pride and pain.

Amna Nawaz:

Mary, how much confidence is there in people that things will be any different with Delcy Rodriguez as president, who, as you mentioned, was Maduro's vice president?

Mary Triny Mena:

Well, I believe this is a country that have sustained a longstanding political crisis.

So, for Venezuela, this type of episodes are not new. They are used to handle difficult situations in the economic side, in the political side, and they are being very cautious with the changes throughout the years. So they tend to adapt to difficult situations and to move on, especially because of the deepening economic crisis.

And that is a big issue here in the country. While all this is happening, the difference between the dollar and the bolivar is spreading. So people are more concerned on the ends being, on to put forth on the table that other things -- politics. Of course, they are concerned because of that, but they are more focused on the economy side.

Amna Nawaz:

Mary, meanwhile, the big news here in the United States, of course, was Maduro appearing in court for his arraignment. Are any of those images, those videos making their way into Venezuela? Are people paying attention? And if so, how are they watching those?

Mary Triny Mena:

Well, right now, most of the TV stations are broadcasting what the state channel is doing here inside of Venezuela.

So the state channel did mention the situation in the New York court. They portrayed the situation as it was unfair and presented a short message about the situation in New York, a short piece. They didn't last the entire session or how Maduro was transported to the court. They just show a few images.

They concentrate the program in today on showing the National Assembly that started this session of this year until 2031, and then the proclamation of Delcy Rodriguez as the new interim president of Venezuela.

Amna Nawaz:

All right, that is Mary Triny Mena joining us tonight from Caracas, Venezuela.

Mary, thank you.

Mary Triny Mena:

Thank you for having me.