A tense calm on the streets of Caracas masks a multitude of fears and uncertainty for Venezuelans

Residents in the capital said they are seeing an increased presence of government security forces as well as armed civilian paramilitaries loyal to the government.

This article is by F. Brinley Bruton reporting from Bogotá, Colombia, and a Caracas-based reporter who is not being identified because of safety concerns.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Days after Venezuela’s capital was rocked by explosions and the country’s leader was seized in a U.S. operation, the streets of this city were eerily quiet.

Few people are venturing from their homes, although businesses have begun to reopen and the long lines that had snaked outside the few pharmacies and supermarkets that were operational over the weekend are disappearing. Those trying to get to work using the public bus system seem to be struggling as it seems to be on a skeleton schedule.

The more than half a dozen people who spoke to NBC News said that there has been an increased presence of government security forces as well as armed civilian paramilitaries loyal to the government. Officials have called for the arrest of anyone involved in the weekend’s attack. For those who quietly oppose the Maduro government, they hope they’re finally seeing the end of a dark period of their history. For those who supported him, there’s the uncertainty of what will happen to their leader.

Daniel, a gardener who commutes from his home on the outskirts of Caracas to the upscale neighborhood of Altamira, said he stayed home on Monday because he was afraid of encountering pro-government groups that are widely reported to be checking people’s cellphones. Like everyone interviewed for this story, Daniel asked not to be fully identified out of fear of reprisal from authorities that are very much still in power.