Venezuela Street Protests Wane After US Strike

Political dynamics along the border between Colombia and Venezuela have shifted dramatically following recent US threats and military action. While Colombian President Gustavo Petro successfully mobilized his base to protest American interference, the response inside Venezuela has been surprisingly quiet.

Despite the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and a US bombing campaign, large-scale public demonstrations have failed to materialize. The current Venezuelan administration has attempted to organize events using its network of public sector workers, but these efforts have not achieved the critical mass necessary to project strength. The visible absence of the massive crowds that once defined the political movement founded by Hugo Chávez indicates a significant shift in the political landscape.

The political atmosphere in the region has been charged by the recent United States military intervention. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro reacted to these threats by calling on his supporters to take to the streets. This call to action was effective, with his bases mobilizing to occupy public spaces in opposition to American actions.

In stark contrast, the situation across the border in Venezuela presents a different picture. Following the bombing and the subsequent capture of President Nicolás Maduro, the expected popular outcry has been minimal. The reaction from the general populace has been described as barely visible, lacking the spontaneity often seen in such critical moments. This quietness stands in sharp opposition to the active street presence seen in Colombia.

The current administration in Venezuela has made concerted efforts to generate public support. These mobilizations are heavily reliant on the participation of the country's extensive public workforce, numbering over two million employees. However, even with this organizational infrastructure, the official rallies have struggled to gain momentum.

While there have been official acts and gatherings involving hundreds or even a few thousand people, these numbers are considered low for the context. The failure to mobilize the state apparatus effectively suggests a deeper issue with public engagement. The administration's inability to fill the streets, despite having the organizational machinery to do so, points to a potential disconnect with its traditional base.

The current scale of street activity in Venezuela is a far cry from its historical peak. During the tenure of Hugo Chávez, the political movement, known as chavismo, was defined by its ability to draw massive, human tides of supporters. These rallies were a cornerstone of the movement's power and visibility.

Even compared to more recent events, the current turnout is lackluster. The crowds gathered by the current leadership are smaller than the modest gatherings Maduro himself managed to organize just weeks prior. Those earlier rallies were specifically aimed at confronting former US President Donald Trump. The decline in attendance from those recent events to the current crisis suggests a significant erosion of the street-level support that was once the sostén (support) of the regime's power.