Shock, concern and celebration: Venezuelans react to US strikes | REUTERS

Charred military vehicles and buses were still smoldering at daybreak in Caracas on Saturday, as residents expressed shock after the U.S. strikes hit military bases in Venezuela and removed President Nicolas Maduro. Many people stayed home as Venezuelan security forces patrolled the streets. Of those who were out, some express hope of political change, while people like baker Franklin Jimenez concerned that this will create an even worse conflict than the one we have now,

and that we all have to go out into the streets to defend our homeland, to defend ourselves. But excitement is in the air for supporters of the opposition, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado outside the country. Venezuelans celebrated in Peru with people like Milagros Ortiga talking of returning home.

My dad being a political leader in Venezuela was able to see this change. He used to say, daughter when you go back, when this government leaves, you'll return to Venezuela. And to know that my dad in his lifetime was able to see the fall of Nicolas Maduro, look, for me it's an emotion. I would like to see his face."

Since 2014, around 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country, according to the UN International Organization for Migration. Venezuelans living in Spain also rejoiced at Maduro's capture while they tried to get hold of friends and relatives still in the country. Some of them are sheltering at home. A few other people in Caracas went out to stock up on essentials.

Some of them are concerned that they may now have to hunker down for a prolonged period, Some of them are concerned that they may now have to hunker down for a prolonged period, uncertain of what is to come.