Matias Delacroix, a photojournalist originally from Chile and currently residing in Panama, spent this week documenting events in Venezuela, capturing scenes that reveal the nation’s tense atmosphere following recent U.S. military strikes. One photograph in particular drew his attention for its remarkable resemblance to a historic image from the 1990s depicting an armed woman, but now set against the modern backdrop of Caracas.
Delacroix explained that upon witnessing an armed woman occupying the passenger seat of a motorcycle, he was reminded of a similar powerful visual captured decades earlier by another Chilean photographer, featuring a woman brandishing a submachine gun. This visual parallel compelled Delacroix to stop and take the shot, recognizing a poignant recurrence amid vastly different historical circumstances.
The context for this scene traces back to the aftermath of U.S. operations targeting President Nicolás Maduro, which triggered unexpected reactions on the streets of Venezuela. Groups loyal to the government appeared publicly, some carrying weapons, marking a blur between civilian presence and armed defense. Capturing this moment was critical, Delacroix notes, as it offered insight into the profound shock and uncertainty gripping the populace.
The photograph was taken at a gas station under the watch of armed civilians and local police forces. A contingent of motorcyclists, varying widely in age and carrying weapons, arrived at this location. They initially scrutinized Delacroix, seeking to identify and understand his purpose for being there. After Delacroix transparently shared that he was working for an international press agency to cover the fallout following the U.S. strikes, they permitted him to continue his photography unabated.
Delacroix had been working intensively during this turbulent period. Following coordination with his photo editor early in the morning, he expanded his assignment beyond Caracas to include La Guaira’s port area, which had reported damages. His mobility method—traveling by motorcycle akin to the armed groups—enabled quick access to key locations and rapid exit capability should the situation deteriorate.
This photograph succinctly illustrates a moment of heightened tension: armed groups in public spaces epitomize a breakdown of traditional civil order; motorcycles signify immediate response and control; and the figure of a woman carrying weaponry demands attention and challenges expectations. Together, the image conveys the ambiguous and unstable environment arising in the hours after the strikes, expressing the fusion of civilian life and militarized action without requiring additional explanation.