All Venezuela lives a triumph over US representation. Social media is crazy. For Venezuelans, this is not just a sport. This is simply a historical moment, and even, as CNN rated, "katharsis for a nation that struggled with political turmoil, economical uncertainty and global isolation".
– It's a double win for Venezuela. First, sports. Secondly, political. Of course symbolic. But still. Of course, sports, especially due to the fact that baseball is simply a national athletics for Venezuelans. It was commented that it was revenge, a kind of retaliation in the United States. It's just received here – says Justyna Ewa Zun-Dalloul, writer and observer of Venezuelan life who lives in Caracas.
Additionally, the tournament was played in the USA – at the debt Depot Park Stadium in Miami, Florida. There on March 17, Venezuela's representation defeated the United States 3:2 and won the planet Baseball classical for the first time in history. For this reason, on March 18, Maduro's successor announced the National Day of Joy and set a day off from work.
"It's not just a sports triumph, it's a reminder of what we're capable of," "What a night! This is the end no of us would dare dream of", "We beat them with blows, not bombs, we are great", "Since January 3, the good things themselves happen to our country" – respond in Venezuelan networks.
– People are glad Venezuela can. It's everyone's large joy. It's a small crazy. A festival of joy. It was not even hidden by Archbishop Caracas, Raul Biord Castillo erstwhile he presented 2 recently appointed assistant archbishops at the press conference. It's like we Poles are happy if our football or volleyball squad won any crucial tournament," Polka says.
He adds that a show was made in the Presidential Palace for this reason: – It was a well-directed performance for the needs of the Venezuelan government to rise the sense of national pride and gain support. A trophy was immediately brought to Venezuela. But the full Venezuelan squad lives, trains and plays in the United States.
"People in Venezuela live in uncertainty. They don't know what's going to happen and they're wrestling."
It's a paradox of past and large politics. Since the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro and his departure to the United States, it will shortly be 3 months. precisely on January 3, 2026, the Americans performed an action that shook the planet and theoretically intended to change the situation in Venezuela by 180 degrees.
But what's life like present without Maduro? What has changed in Venezuela since then?
People live in uncertainty. They don't know what's going to happen and they're wrestling. In the first weeks of January, everything was very costly and there were queues everywhere. Before, the queues were not, due to the fact that contrary to appearances, access to articles, not only the first need, was provided. Food can be purchased without problem in Venezuela and there is simply a large choice. For me, after Cuba, it was a large shock. Although, of course, due to the prices not available to everyone, these articles were available – says Dr. Michał Faryś from the University of Economics in Poznań, chargé d’affaires RP in Cuba (2021-2023) and Venezuela (2023-2024).
Today no 1 knows which way the situation will develop.
– It seems that small has changed for the average citizen. but it's definitely more expensive. People don't go out on the streets at night, they don't decision freely, they don't know what might happen. And the diaspora announces that no 1 will return to the country until there is simply a democratic election and it is not known what the future is like," he adds.
"From an average Venezuelan point of view, nothing has changed"
The BBC reports from Caracas that already landing there, 1 can get the impression that small has changed since the American intervention. On the walls of the airport there are BOLOs behind the opposition candidate in the 2024 presidential election – Edmundo González Urrutia, who according to the opposition is then legally elected president. And on the streets are billboards with Maduro and his wife, this time bearing hashtag: "We want them back".
Justyna Eve Zun-Dalloul says that specified billboards are indeed in town, but there are not many. He's uploading a photograph from yesterday from Universidad Avenue downtown. It's 1 of the government buildings.
Photo by Justyna Ewa Zun-Dalloul
She besides saw cards with akin inscriptions on municipal buildings in Caracas, but it doesn't truly matter. Propaganda, according to her observation, is now little in Venezuela.
– From an average Venezuelan point of view, nothing has changed. Contrary to the messages of abroad media, including Polish media, no 1 cried that Maduro had been overthrown. And no 1 was jumping for joy. Everyone was just very tired of the state of tension. The fresh situation was accepted by society. Now there is an anticipation of what to do next – says Justyna Ewa Zun-Dalloul.
Every day in a fresh reality prices did not abruptly fall. wellness care has not improved. The wages and benefits did not increase. And that's what people are waiting for.
A writer gives 1 example. – There are very low pensions and pensions in Venezuela. The lowest in the world, at just 1 dollar. What do you buy with that? Nothing. The prices are very high. For example, I compare the prices of exotic fruit in Poland and Venezuela. And even bananas of plantains imported from Venezuela are cheaper in Lidl in Poland than here," he says.
– This is the most costly country in the world, where a kilo of meat costs $10, and an average wage is simply a twelve dollars. The Maduro government besides gave vouchers called Bono de guerra (Bon war). erstwhile a month, respective twelve dollars – he adds.
He explains that the current Venezuelan period is considered a essential transitional period to avoid bloodshed. They don't show emotion.
– Delcy Rodríguez stressed in her first speeches that changes must be made carefully and gradually," she said.
"The government was well preserved by US administration"
Since January the country has been temporarily headed by the incumbent Vice President, Deputy Maduro – Delcy Rodríguez. It's hard to call her Donald Trump's ally. She was part of the Maduro regime. She condemned the American intervention. She besides stated that if she had to go to Washington to meet Trump, she would do it "walking on her own", not that she would be dragged there.
Then why her? It's no surprise Trump's betting on her. The opposition in Venezuela is very divided. From the U.S. point of view, Delcy Rodríguez had the top know-how. She knew all the structures of the state and the mechanisms governing it. If you look at her way of professional development, she was liable for the sectors crucial to safety and the economy of the state – for the oil manufacture and for the safety service," says Dr. Michał Faryś.
However, from a Venezuelan point of view, the difference is not felt. Ideologically, there was no change. It must be remembered that Delcy Rodríguez's brother is the president of the National Assembly. This government has been well preserved and authenticated by the US administration. Changes are possible as far as they are established from the United States or Delcy wants to make any tiny motion towards society. This is cosmetics, says the diplomat.
"US Embassy in Caracas is simply a city in the city. I think this is Venezuela's leader"
Dr. Farys personally met Maduro's successor. He talked to her a fewer times.
– It can be very warm. She is direct in individual contact, but she can easy show her claw and be unconcerned. He is simply a very well educated individual – and in Europe, and in the US, and in Venezuela. She is determined, firm and knows what she wants – she says about her.
– But there are many complex, ambiguous issues around Delcy Rodríguez. It is widely believed to have shares in many legal and little illegal business ventures. It is subject to EU sanctions, which has complicated its economical activities. Many crucial companies from airlines to mines are said to have been/are de facto owned by the acting president," adds Dr. Faryś.
– What do you think?
– She's come to an agreement. There's no question about that. From an American point of view, the choice was very good. The US Embassy in Caracas is simply a city in the city. Large area. I think it's the manager or the Venezuelan leader. And the executive camera is Delcy Rodríguez – he thinks.
"Americans got to oil. Venezuela's graphics have appeared online as the 51st U.S. state"
Delcy Rodríguez's cooperation with the US must have started quickly. – president Trump, as a friend, as a partner, since we are beginning a fresh agenda for cooperation with the United States, delight halt with sanctions and blockade against our country due to the fact that it is besides targeted against Venezuelan youth," she appealed.
Direct talks and business contacts rapidly began. CIA chief John Ratcliffe arrived in Caracas in January. The U.S. embassy began operating again for the first time since 2019. There is besides the announcement of resuming flights on the Caracas-Miami line. The praise of Venezuela besides began. And the Americans started partially abolishing sanctions.
Justyna Eve Zun-Dalloul calls things by name: – Americans got to oil. They started making deals. As of 3 January serving as president of Delcy Rodriguez accepted respective visits of Trump's government representatives to Miraflores Presidential Palace. The same way Maduro said, "Trump, come get me." He most likely didn't anticipate Trump to take this challenge. Venezuela's graphics appeared on social media as the 51st U.S. state.
Sam Trump during the planet Baseball classical Trump tournament reacted: "A lot of good has been happening in Venezuela lately! I wonder what the magic is? position 51. IS THAT WHY?"
Dr. Faryś: – The Americans are focused on the oil sector, which requires very large investments to reconstruct it to operation. They hire people. They're doing in-depth audits, macroeconomics.
– I think that Venezuela was of large importance to Trump, due to the fact that the interests of the US are powerfully present in Guyana. The political tensions that existed between Guyana and Venezuela did not service to make business. The regulation of the situation between Guyana and Venezuela ensures the safety of the oil sector and any oil companies in the region, says the diplomat.
Rodríguez released hundreds of political prisoners. But not all.
In February, media reported that Rodríguez had made any economical and political concessions. 1 of them was to give abroad companies greater rights to Venezuelan oil.
The second is the release of any political prisoners. In January, Maduro's successor reported 626 people, but hundreds are inactive in prison. And the UN and non-governmental organizations are alarming that despite the overthrow of Maduro, the oppressive strategy in Venezuela is inactive in operation.
"High-ranking government and military officials, previously found to be liable for crimes against humanity, proceed to exercise crucial authority," writes the UN mission in a study a fewer days ago. He besides claims, as Reuters reports, that 87 political detentions have occurred since the overthrow of Maduro.
Critics besides believe that after the overthrow of Maduro everything goes besides slowly. And that Rodríguez announced that there would be "free and honest" elections, but she did not say when. As Reuters reports, the Americans themselves are to prepare a draft indictment for her to be a form of pressure.
Reuters writes that it is about possible allegations of corruption and money laundering from the regime. And that the national prosecutors were expected to tell her that "she's threatened with criminal proceedings if she doesn't proceed to comply with Trump's demands."
Experts, however, point out that Rodríguez cannot act besides rapidly due to the fact that it may origin opposition by inactive influential people. And that he is in a hard situation – between Washington and what is in the country.
Justyna Eva Zun-Dalloul has been associated with the past of our country. He believes that Americans are utilizing a Polish template for Venezuela. He sees that in the transitional period in Venezuela they are already sharing power. And that there might be a deal with the opposition.
Why didn't the Americans bet on María Corina Machado?
María Corina Machado – a symbol of Venezuelan opposition, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, which was secretly exported from the country in December – is actually due to return to Venezuela soon. In early March, she announced that she would appear in a fewer weeks. He wants to participate in the democratic transformation of his country.
“The planet already knows: the transition to democracy in Venezuela is unstoppable,” she says on a video published on social media. According to the fresh York Times, Trump, however, was to propose to her that she should not return to her homeland for the time being.
But why didn't the Americans bet on her? 58-year-old engineer and erstwhile businesswoman, for over 3 decades she has been among the toughest and most recognizable faces of Venezuelan opposition. It grows into 1 of the key figures of the possible political transformation in Caracas" – she wrote about it in the Ola Gersz theme.
As Dr. Faryś said, unfortunately, the Americans did not bet on her due to the fact that she did not have the know-how, the current cognition of how to effectively master the ubiquitous chaos of the state administration: "It would besides be hard for her to scope agreement with the full state apparatus and keep it without making any changes, as it is at present. Venezuela needs deep and broad reforms, Maria Corina has visions for the country, but she would not be able to implement it at the moment.
So the question is, what's next?
"US administration is focused on another issues than restoring democracy in Venezuela"
– I think further changes in Venezuela will be dictated by the economical account. At the moment, the US administration is focused on another issues than restoring democracy in Venezuela. 1 can get the impression that respect for the sovereignty of nations or global law is not 1 of the precedence actions of the U.S. administration on these days," the diplomat comments.
The change that took place in Venezuela is simply a signal to all political groups that they must work for the future and have a imagination of the country's development.
– Everyone is committed to regaining their political capital and economical recovery of the country. Everyone would like him to return to the free marketplace economy, but this is simply a very hard task. Changing the government won't help. We request to change the legislative power and the legal strategy in order to defuse this state and build it from the beginning. The question of which economical model will be chosen and how independent and sovereign it will be. And to what degree dictated by external forces – says Dr. Michał Faryś.
