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As the dust settles in the Venezuelan capital, citizens are processing the news of the arrest of President Maduro by American authorities with a wide spectrum of optimism, anxiety, and doubt.

Residents started to appear in the streets over the weekend after a night filled with detonations in the Caracas Valley, with moods that varied between celebration to condemnation.

Citizen Perspectives

Dina, a Caracas resident, stated that for now, she is grateful for the American intervention for "taking Maduro out of here" because now, she "finally glimpses some hope for the future again".

"He says something now and tomorrow he changes his mind," Dina said about the American president. "His declarations carry little weight with me."

The political climate remains volatile, which is part of why she did not provide her full name.

Jorge, another citizen who lives near Caracas, explained that while he's grateful to be "well-supported by the United States", he is apprehensive that the coming days will not be easy.

"Now that they are taking this man away, what's going to happen?" he wondered. "Nothing is assured. So there is a great deal of doubt. We cannot predict what the coming days will bring."

Loyalist Backlash

Maduro allies have also been gathering in protest of the capital, demanding the American authorities free Maduro.

Overnight, American military units carried out a series of precision operations in Caracas, ultimately taking the country's leader into custody.

The US accuses Maduro of running a "narco-state" regime. He is widely seen by critics domestically and by the international community as having illegitimately won Venezuela's recent election.

Maduro – who leads the United Socialist Party and has been in power since 2013 – has often faced allegations of repressing opposition groups and stifling criticism in Venezuela, sometimes with the employment of force.

A Path Full of Questions

With Maduro facing extradition to face drug trafficking and weapons charges, the future of Venezuela remains in flux.

The risk of speaking out against Maduro is still a genuine threat within Venezuela.

Jorge reported seeing riders from colectivos, which are armed collectives in Venezuela, roaming the streets with weapons recently.

"It makes you a bit afraid to even go out to buy bread right now," he said. "We'll have to wait for the best and have patience."

Sandra, who lives in the Venezuelan city of Punto Fijo, shared the relief at Maduro's removal. But, she too is doubtful about the what lies ahead and what it means for the millions in exile.

Close to eight million Venezuelans have fled Venezuela since Maduro assumed the presidency.

"This is only the beginning; we know there is still a challenging path forward," Sandra added. "The world had long ignored the cry of Venezuelans in the face of this tragedy."

Among the populace, the only positive aspect of recent statements is the promise of international investment in Venezuela, which some believe will lead to a "better economic situation" for the country in crisis.