Venezuela's Uncertain Path After a Weekend of Chaos

Venezuela finds itself in a strange spot after a wild weekend. The country is trying to return to some kind of normal life, but things are not quite back to usual. Streets and shops are quieter than before, as people are still trying to make sense of what happened. In Barquisimeto, a city in the northwest, Mariela Gonzalez, who runs a beauty business, decided to reopen her shop on Monday. She had closed over the weekend due to the chaos. She said that fear is in the air, but people cannot just stop living. They have to keep going. U. S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that the U. S. will take charge of Venezuela for now. He has also warned that more military action could happen if things do not go as Washington wants. This has left many people feeling uncertain about what will happen next.In the supermarket where Rosendo Linarez works, things are slower than usual. People are only buying what they need right now. In Maracaibo, a big city in the western part of Venezuela, many taxi and bus drivers are staying home. Those who are working say there are very few passengers. Marielys Urdaneta, a 41-year-old taxi driver, said she had to work because she needs the money. She described the situation as a \"tense calm. \" Douglas Sanchez, who sells snacks in Caracas, agreed. He said people are feeling anxious and desperate, but they still have to work to make money. Daniel Morillo, who moved to Peru five years ago, was visiting his family in Maracaibo for the holidays. After the weekend's events, he decided to cut his trip short. He used his remaining money to buy medicine and food for his parents. He said he was sad to leave them in such uncertainty.