In an interview with France 24, Venezuelan journalist Andriana Flores considered that the opposition did not react strongly to the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, but rather its statements were timid. While the country's transitional president, Delcy Rodriguez, called for the release of all political detainees and the preservation of the security and safety of the country, while working towards a transitional phase without bloodshed.

Published on: 01/06/2026 - 15:59

What does the situation look like in Venezuela after the arrest of its President Nicolas Maduro last week and his imprisonment with his wife in the United States? How did the opposition follow this process, what was the atmosphere in the country, and the reactions of Venezuelans?

For journalist Adriana Flores, who hails from Venezuela, the atmosphere of joy that prevailed in the first hours of Maduro's arrest was followed by a kind of ambiguity and doubts about the country's future.

In an interview with France 24, she was surprised by the modest reactions shown by the opposition, calling on the new interim president to release political prisoners and not carry out any operation against the United States or the opposition.

As a reminder, American special forces entered Venezuela last week and arrested its president and his wife, who were taken to the United States for trial. While Donald Trump accused Nicolas Maduro of drug trafficking and flooding American territory, as well as carrying out terrorist operations.

France 24: What is the situation like today in Venezuela after the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro?

Andriana Flores: The situation in Venezuela is still shrouded in uncertainty. Initially, when we saw the images of Maduro's arrest, some Venezuelans saw this as a first step toward restoring democracy and freedom to the country.

But a few days after this event, we noticed that those close to Maduro, such as Delcy Rodriguez, who was appointed interim president of Venezuela, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, and other senior officials who were with Maduro, are still in power. So today we are wondering: Will the change we aspire to materialize on the ground or not?

The initial joy that we felt in Venezuela or in the diaspora, which I felt personally, somewhat faded, and was replaced by a feeling of wariness. We are watching how the situation will develop, whether there will be real regime change, and what real role the United States will play starting now.

After Delcy Rodriguez was appointed interim president of Venezuela in agreement with the United States, what are the first decisions she must take to stabilize the situation? What messages should you send to the people and the world?

In my belief, you must first release all political prisoners. There are more than 1,000 political detainees in Venezuela, the majority of whom were arrested after the presidential elections held in July 2024. Here I must emphasize that these elections were stolen - and I weigh my words and say them very frankly and without fear - by Nicolas Maduro.

The latter imprisoned many journalists, political opponents, and representatives of opposition parties. So Delcy Rodriguez must release them if she wants a safe and non-violent transition.

In the economic field, and according to what Trump stated regarding the entry of American oil companies into Venezuela in order to pump Venezuelan oil, I believe that Delcy Rodriguez will play an important role in this field. It will be the party that will receive these companies that will modernize Venezuelan oil facilities and will engage in dialogue with them.

But the question is: Will this benefit the Venezuelan people? I cannot answer at the moment. For years, we have become accustomed to seeing the country's wealth in the hands of a few senior officials and army commanders, so I do not think this will change overnight.

On the political level, I hope that Rodriguez maintains security and peace, and does not ask the military and security forces to revolt against the American operation (meaning the operation to arrest Nicolas Maduro) or against the opposition. It must also put an end to and disband the militias that supported the Chavez and then Maduro regimes, called “Kloktivs.”

What are the reasons behind the arrest of Nicolas Maduro? Is it really related to the drug trade or the desire to seize Venezuela's oil wealth?

Some might think so. But let me tell you that the situation of Venezuelan oil companies and oil factories is deplorable.

There are about 3,000 oil wells that are untapped and out of service. The refineries that refine oil have become old and unable to produce oil.

To overcome this situation, huge financial investments and wealthy international companies must be created that are able to exploit Venezuelan oil again, while building modern factories and working with advanced technologies.

This requires spending billions of dollars over at least five or ten years in order to modernize Venezuela's oil industry and begin intensive oil production.

Fifteen years ago, Venezuela was producing more than 3 million barrels of oil per day. This number has declined today to only one million barrels per day.

Before saying that the United States wants to get its hands on Venezuelan oil, the financial and technical investments required must be taken into account before reaping profits. It's very complicated.

What makes the situation more difficult are the contracts that the Chavista regime signed with China to export oil to this country. According to my information, the contract period exceeds 50 years and at very low prices. Similar contracts were signed by the Venezuelan government with Russia, Iran, and Cuba, but no one talked about the profits that the Venezuelan people gained from these contracts.

Why does Venezuela abound with oil resources while its people live in extreme poverty?

Yes, God has blessed Venezuela with endless blessings, but at the same time, corrupt political regimes have dominated this country.

Politicians are very corrupt. For example, I can mention Tarek El Aissami, who was president of Venezuela's national oil company.

He was among those close to Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. He fled abroad, taking more than $4 billion with him. There are a large number of officials, such as Tariq Al-Aissami, who stole the people’s money and fled abroad. The military also stole Venezuelan oil money. The evidence is that Tariq Al-Aissami was a former soldier before he entered political life.

How did the Venezuelan opposition react to what happened in the country, and how do you see its role in the near future?

So far, the Venezuelan opposition, whether outside or inside the country, has shown a modest face and was not on time. I think it is time for the opposition to take a clear position: either it supports Maduro or the operation carried out by Donald Trump.

This largely concerns Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, who only reacted to recent events through an audio recording she posted on social media.

The same applies to Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate who won the presidential elections in 2024. We consider him the elected president of Venezuela. He must be more present in the political arena and propose new political initiatives. With the exception of civil society, the opposition has become almost absent.

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