Armed motorcycle gangs loyal to ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro have taken to the streets of Caracas, conducting aggressive patrols and checkpoints in search of citizens supporting President Donald Trump’s military intervention in the South American nation.
The paramilitary groups, known as Colectivos, continue to operate with backing from at least one senior government official despite Maduro’s recent arrest.
These militia members have established checkpoints throughout the capital city where they stop vehicles and search phones for any evidence of support for American military action.
Many of the bikers wear masks and carry Kalashnikov rifles as they conduct their searches.
They function as an unofficial arm of the state, enforcing loyalty to the deposed leader even after his removal from power.
Following Maduro’s arrest, Venezuelan authorities implemented a 90-day state of emergency.
The order directs police to “immediately begin the national search and capture of everyone involved in the promotion or support for the armed attack by the United States.”
The crackdown has already resulted in the detention of 14 journalists, with 11 of them being foreign correspondents.
Additional journalists remain unaccounted for, according to the Telegraph.
Interior, Justice and Peace Minister Diosdado Cabello has emerged as a key figure supporting the Colectivos’ activities.
Photographs show Cabello posing alongside militia members, demonstrating his continued allegiance to Maduro despite the change in power.
“Here, the unity of the revolutionary force is more than guaranteed, and here there is only one president, whose name is Nicolas Maduro Moros. Let no one fall for the enemy’s provocations,” Cabello stated through the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
Cabello currently faces a $50 million bounty in the United States for drug trafficking charges. Social media videos show him with militia members chanting slogans that translate to “Always loyal, never traitors.”
Additional footage captures these groups calling Americans and Trump supporters “pigs” who seek to plunder Venezuelan resources.
The militia presence has created an atmosphere of fear in Caracas.
One anonymous anti-Maduro resident expressed concern about leaving home, fearing phone searches and imprisonment for opposing the government’s stance.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado described the Colectivos as “really alarming” on Monday.
Meanwhile, Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president, adopted a more diplomatic approach in a Sunday statement.
“We extend an invitation to the US government to work together on a cooperation agenda, aimed at shared development, within the framework of international law, and to strengthen lasting community coexistence,” she said.
On Tuesday, President Trump announced an agreement with Venezuelan authorities to transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States.
The deal could be valued at approximately $2 billion at current market rates.
Trump has openly acknowledged that accessing Venezuela’s vast oil reserves was a motivating factor behind the weekend military operation.
“I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America,” he posted on Truth Social.
The president stated he will control proceeds from oil sales.
“This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!” he announced.
