Indian in Caracas reports Venezuela turmoil post-Maduro arrest: No power, long queues, panic everywhere

Indian in Caracas reports Venezuela turmoil post-Maduro arrest: No power, long queues, panic everywhere

Caracas and surrounding cities descended into panic after US aircraft carried out airstrikes across Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flying them to New York.

The strikes caused extensive damage to key infrastructure and power grids, leaving large parts of the capital in darkness. With communication networks crippled, streets emptied, shops shut down, and the country left without effective leadership.

Sunil Malhotra, a member of the small Indian community in Caracas, described the situation as one of widespread destruction, food shortages, and fear. “There is significant damage. They attacked the airport in Caracas, and there is an airbase about 100 kilometres outside the city, the country’s largest base, which was also hit. The maximum damage has been at Fuerte Tiuna. That’s where the impact was the heaviest,” he told India Today TV.

Following the attack, major establishments and shops closed, and public transport services were suspended, bringing daily life to a halt. “Most supermarkets were shut. Only small neighbourhood stores, which we call kirana stores in India, were open, and there were long queues. There were around 500 to 600 people lined up on each block, and only one or two people were allowed inside at a time,” Malhotra said.

The longest queues were seen at bakeries, while pharmacies, which also sell canned food like tuna, sardines, and ham, saw heavy crowds. “It’s not that there is a complete shortage yet, but there are huge lines at pharmacies as well,” he added.

Power outages forced residents to walk long distances to charge their phones. Malhotra relied on an illegal setup by street vendors. “There is a streetlight quite far from where I live that still has power. Hot dog vendors have tapped electricity illegally, and people are using that point to charge their phones,” he said.

Malhotra recounted his own experience, saying he went to charge his phone around 4 pm and returned home only at 11 pm due to the crowd. “It was so crowded that I had to wait for someone else to finish before I could get a spot. That’s how I’m able to speak to you,” he said, adding that India Today managed to reach him by phone despite the communications blackout.

The US operation brought an end to Maduro’s 12-year rule. The Venezuelan leader was flown to New York to face charges, including what US President Donald Trump described as “narco-terrorism,” for allegedly sending drugs to the United States. Venezuela condemned the operation, calling it a violation of international law and accusing the US of attempting to control its oil and natural resources.