Caracas appeared to be sliding into disorder on Sunday as armed militias loyal to the deposed president, Nicolás Maduro, moved into the streets following the withdrawal of regular military units, according to residents and regional analysts.
The groups, which are reported to be aligned with the far left, began patrolling neighbourhoods with assault rifles after US forces detained Maduro on Saturday. Their emergence has heightened tensions in the capital and fuelled concerns among diplomats and observers that Venezuela could face a prolonged period of instability or even civil conflict.
