One month after a U.S. operation in Caracas, the city is awash in a defiant plea: bring back Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Captured and taken to New York to face drug charges, the former president and first lady are the focus of a relentless campaign to secure their return.
The capital’s main avenues, once gripped by tension, now pulse with a renewed, yet determined, energy. Giant billboards, posters, and even LED screens display a stark countdown – days, hours, and minutes ticking by since Maduro and Flores entered U.S. custody. The message is singular and unwavering.
Slogans like “We want them back,” “Free Maduro,” and “We will win” dominate the urban landscape. Maduro himself, during his arraignment in New York, declared, “I am the president of Venezuela and I consider myself a prisoner of war,” a statement quickly amplified throughout the nation.
The call for their return isn’t confined to ground level. A recent drone show, orchestrated by Venezuela’s current interim President Delcy Rodriguez, illuminated the night sky with the images of Maduro and Flores, accompanied by the message: “The people will bring them back.” The spectacle was widely disseminated through government channels.
For many in Caracas, the outpouring of propaganda comes as no surprise. Decades under the rule of Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, have accustomed citizens to a constant stream of government messaging. Chávez’s image, even after his death in 2013, remains a ubiquitous presence on buildings and structures across the country.
“I’m not at all surprised they moved so quickly to put up these billboards,” confessed Lucía León, a resident of downtown Caracas. “But even knowing it was coming, it’s still shocking how readily they manipulate the situation.” She expressed conflicted feelings about Maduro’s capture, acknowledging the controversial nature of the U.S. intervention.
León sharply criticized the government’s narrative, dismissing the claim of a “kidnapping.” “They are criminals, and this was a capture,” she stated, expressing frustration with what she perceives as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. “They still think we are fools.”
The Chavismo movement, built on a foundation of leftist populism and anti-imperialist sentiment, has historically succeeded in elevating Chávez to an almost mythical status. Following his death, some even replaced “Lord” with “Chávez” during the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, demonstrating the depth of devotion.
Now, the movement faces a unique challenge. Its leader hasn’t passed away, but is instead detained and facing legal proceedings in the United States. According to political scientist Ayrton Monsalve, this presents “shortcomings and strong weaknesses in terms of consistency, action and communication.”
The government’s inability to effectively counter what they term “imperialist” aggression has forced a shift in strategy. The rhetoric of armed resistance has given way to appeals for consular and diplomatic protection of Maduro’s rights. Beneath the “Free Maduro” façade, a quiet reorganization is underway, acknowledging the possibility he may not return.
Reports suggest a pragmatic shift within the government. Prior to Maduro’s capture, key figures like Rodriguez and her brother reportedly signaled a willingness to cooperate with the U.S. The release of political prisoners and the resumption of oil shipments to the United States further indicate a willingness to engage, despite the public displays of defiance.
This apparent contradiction has fueled unrest within Chavismo, particularly regarding the rising influence of Delcy Rodriguez. Monsalve notes that Maduro’s strength lay in his ability to unite the disparate factions within the movement.
Propaganda has always been a cornerstone of Chavismo, a constant investment even amidst economic hardship. Monsalve predicts a future evolution of this messaging, anticipating a gradual transition from focusing on Maduro’s rescue to promoting Rodriguez as the new face of the movement. “Soon,” he concluded, “we will begin to see material surrounding Delcy.”
