In the aftermath in the Venezuelan capital, the people are reacting to the news of President Nicolás Maduro's capture by US forces with a complex mix of hope, fear, and uncertainty.
People began to emerge in the streets over the weekend after a night filled with explosions in the Caracas Valley, with moods that ranged from jubilation to condemnation.
Dina, a local resident, stated that for now, she is thankful for the US action for "taking Maduro out of here" because now, she "at least can see some light at the end of the tunnel again".
"His word today may not be his word tomorrow," Dina said about the US leadership. "His declarations carry little weight with me."
The atmosphere in the country 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 "backed by the United States", he fears the immediate future will not be easy.
"Now that they are taking this man away, what's going to happen?" he wondered. "It offers no guarantees. So there is a bit of uncertainty. We cannot predict what the coming days will bring."
Government loyalists have also been rallying in the streets of Caracas, demanding the American authorities free Maduro.
Overnight, American military units executed a series of targeted attacks in Venezuela's capital, ultimately taking the country's leader into custody.
The US accuses Maduro of running a "narco-state" regime. He is broadly viewed by critics within his country and by foreign governments as having fraudulently secured Venezuela's recent election.
Maduro – who heads the United Socialist Party and has been in office since 2013 – has often faced allegations of crushing dissent and silencing dissent in Venezuela, sometimes with the use of violence.
As Maduro and his wife are extradited to face drug trafficking and weapons charges, the country's destiny remains unclear.
The risk of voicing opposition against Maduro is still palpable within Venezuela.
Jorge said he saw motorcyclists from pro-government groups, which are paramilitary groups in Venezuela, roaming the streets with weapons recently.
"It makes you a bit afraid to even leave the house for essentials right now," he said. "We must hope for the best and remain patient."
Sandra, who lives in the city of Punto Fijo, echoed the relief at Maduro's ousting. But, she too is doubtful about the future and what it means for the vast diaspora.
Nearly eight million Venezuelans have left Venezuela since Maduro came to power.
"This is only the beginning; we know there is still a challenging path forward," Sandra added. "No country had previously heard the plea of Venezuelans in the face of this tragedy."
For many, the only positive aspect of recent statements is the promise of foreign investment in Venezuela, which some hope will lead to a "more stable economy" for the country in crisis.
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