How Venezuelans in Caracas are reacting to Maduro's capture by U.S. forces

Ali Rogin:

Earlier this afternoon, I spoke to Feature Story News reporter Mary Triny Mena in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.

Thank you so much for joining us. We are speaking a few hours before our show airs. It's been an extraordinary day in Venezuela today. What has it been like on the ground?

Mary Triny Mena:

Well, Venezuelans woke up hearing loud sounds. Rumbling across the city was complex situations from early hours. It began at 1:50 local time. It lasted for about 45 minutes. I hear. I personally heard planes, airplanes and these detonations that kept happening for about 45 minutes.

It was a difficult situation, very complex with a low of information, a lack of information coming from the government of Nicolas Maduro.

Later on, they released a statement saying that this was an aggression perpetrated by the U.S. and according to the Venezuelan government, the sole purpose of this kinetic strike was to gain control of Venezuelan oil resources.

This ended up with the destruction of the leader of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and also his wife, Celia Flores. Here in Caracas, there's been moments of quiet. Most people have decided to remain at home considering the event -- today's events. And also some people have decided to go to the streets, mostly the supporters of Nicolas Maduro.

We need to remember that the Maduro government were bracing for a situation like this for many months now. And the former leader of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, told his supporters that in case he was not present, that people should go out to the streets while we are witnesses like small gatherings in Caracas mostly. And the majority of Venezuelans remain at home waiting. What is going to happen in the coming hours?

Ali Rogin:

We have about 45 seconds left. President Trump today said that the U.S. is going to be running Venezuela. Is there any evidence on the ground that the United States is now in charge?

Mary Triny Mena:

No, there is no evidence so far. The Venezuelan Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez appear on television saying that she is running the country that they are not happy with, of course, what happened and they will not surrender. And they are calling this a kidnapping of the one and only legitimate president of Venezuela that they will keep continue running the country.

She appeared on television surrounded by members of the military forces and the main heads of the Maduro government, all lawyers to Nicolas Maduro.

Ali Rogin:

Mary Triny Mena with FSN, thank you so much.

Mary Triny Mena:

Thank you for having me.

Correction:

A transcription error misspelled Mary Triny Mena's name in this transcript, It's since been corrected. We regret the error.