Venezuelans attempt to go about daily life amidst talk of possible U.S. strikes

As word of a possible strike from the United States against military targets inside Venezuela spread Friday, uniformed security forces fanned out on the streets of Maracaibo, the country’s second-largest city, and detained drivers, motorcyclists and passersby at checkpoints, interrogating them and demanding identification documents.

The sudden massive presence of police and military personnel on the streets of Maracaibo was unusual. Residents here are not used to the kind of surveillance and military presence that is more commonplace in Caracas, the capital.

About 350 miles away to the west of the center of power, residents of Maracaibo, the heart of Venezuela’s vital oil industry, appeared to take the potential news in stride: People dropped their children off at school, took public transportation and began their work shifts, while the state channel Venezolana de Television broadcast a speech by leader Maduro and reported on demonstrations against “threats” from the United States.

As midday approached with no news of incoming missiles, the military deployment on the streets of Maracaibo appeared to abate.

READ MORE: U.S. poised to strike military targets in Venezuela in escalation against Maduro regime

Gerardo, a construction worker in his 60s sitting on a bench in one of Maracaibo’s main streets, said he is hoping “change” will come to his country.

“What Venezuelans want is for there to be freedom for everyone, good salaries, good jobs and for us to have a life like we had 30 years ago,” said Gerardo, who asked that his full name not be used for fear of reprisals from state security agents. But he doesn’t want killings or war, he added.

He said he was aware of the reports about the possible deployment of U.S. military forces on the northern coast of Venezuela and President Donald Trump’s accusations against Nicolás Maduro, who has been indicted in the U.S. on charges of drug trafficking.

Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has ordered dozens of warships to the southern Caribbean, saying the military presence is meant to deter narco-trafficking. The U.S. military has blown up more than dozen vessels it said were carrying drugs bound for the United States, killing close to 60 people so far.

The strikes come amid a rapid buildup of U.S. forces in the Caribbean ordered by Trump as part of his campaign against drug cartels. The administration has signaled it may soon authorize ground incursions into Venezuela to target the so-called Cartel de los Soles, a drug-trafficking network the U.S. accuses of being led by Maduro himself.

Gerardo and other Venezuelans like him say they feel that their country is “stagnant” politically and economically. The 60-year-old commented that he has not seen “any change” in his nation despite the U.S. military pressure.

“The situation is stalled. The government is still there,” he said, adding that it appears all the Maduro government is doing is moving missiles from one site to another.

Gerardo’s partner in the construction business, Luis, said Venezuelans have been “frustrated” since last year’s presidential elections, when Maduro claimed he had been reelected despite allegations of fraud by the opposition.

Optimism, fear in the face of possible war

Lenin, 46, a government employee, said he struggles each day to keep “a positive mind” and “do everything possible to remain calm” rather than be stressed by the idea of war against a deadly foreign military.

“I do believe it is possible. It worries me,” he said about the possibility of a U.S. attack.

For now, he said, life remains “quite calm” where he lives, near the Guajira area of Venezuela hard on the Colombian border.

He added that country “is not Alice in Wonderland,” that Maduro’s government “has made mistakes, like everyone else” and that there is “a crisis” that particularly affects the economy, but said he doesn’t believe Venezuelans are prepared for a change of government through war.

Maduro said last month, as U.S. warships moved into the southern Caribbean close to Venezuela, that he has activated a “shield” in which millions of trained military, police and civilians would participate to defend the country.

Lenin said he doubts that all Venezuelans will take up guns and positions in favor of the government.

If an attack from the U.S. comes, “I think people are going to seek shelter. Venezuela is not a warmongering country. Most of us are not violent,” he said, before resuming his walk to the headquarters of a Venezuelan government ministry.

‘Nobody wants to talk’

Other Venezuelans are hesitant to express an opinion on possible attacks from the U.S. for fear of ending up in prison.

“Nobody wants to talk,” said Jesus Rios, a street vendor of the Venezuelan version of pastelitos.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello publicized the arrest of a man for posting a Whatsapp status in favor of a U.S. invasion. Earlier this month two women who criticized the government on social media and private messaging were sentenced to 10 and 15 years.

The pastelitos vendor appeared more concerned about his sales for the day than reports about an imminent U.S. attack. He said he is more worried about the country’s economy, especially the way inflation has affected the ingredients for the food he sells.

He shared one wish, though, before rapidly beating the metal claws with which he attracts customers on the streets: that everything “be resolved, be better this year.”