Following the apprehension of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, his regime has launched a forceful effort to retain its hold on the nation.

Groups of motorcycle-riding civilians, frequently armed with assault rifles and known as colectivos, have been setting up checkpoints and carrying out invasive searches to find and penalize those backing Maduro’s ouster, according to a Reuters report.

Venezuela’s National Union of Press Workers stated that fourteen journalists were temporarily detained during Monday’s swearing-in of Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader. The union also said residents report many Venezuelans are now fearful of leaving home, concerned that security forces will confiscate and examine their phones for evidence of opposition.

“The future is uncertain, the Colectivos have weapons, the Colombian guerrilla is already here, so we don’t know what’s going to happen, time will tell,” Oswaldo, a 69-year-old Venezuelan shop owner, told The Telegraph.

The colectivos are primarily under the control of Diosdado Cabello, a close ally of Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. State Department has placed a $25 million bounty on Cabello, mainly for his alleged involvement in corruption and drug trafficking.

Cabello, who holds the position of Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, is notorious for quashing political opposition in Venezuela. The activities of the colectivos, which often act as an unofficial instrument of state suppression, indicate that Maduro’s supporters are striving urgently to keep control of the country.

This reported suppression started with an official government order to eliminate dissent against the regime. Reuters stated that an order issued Monday instructed police to “immediately begin the national search and capture of everyone involved in the promotion or support of the armed attack by the United States.”

Cabello, who oversees state-run domestic espionage by coordinating surveillance and counterintelligence agencies, remains a highly volatile and threatening figure after Maduro’s capture, Reuters reported.

“The focus is now on Diosdado Cabello,” Venezuelan military strategist Jose Garcia told the outlet. “Because he is the most ideological, violent and unpredictable element of the Venezuelan regime.”

Reuters also reported that the former military officer was recently seen on patrol in Venezuelan streets alongside security forces.

In a social media post from the Venezuelan government, footage reportedly showed him posing with a group of armed militia members as they chanted, “Always loyal, never traitors.”

Additionally, Reuters noted that in recent weeks, Cabello was televised directing Venezuela’s military counterintelligence agency to “go and get the terrorists” and cautioning that “whoever strays, we will know.”

He allegedly delivered the same message during a state television broadcast on Saturday, dressed in a flak jacket and helmet and flanked by heavily armed guards.

Even with Maduro gone, the ongoing crackdown by loyalists against dissent and the press implies the ruling party does not plan to loosen its hold on power.

Reuters contributed to this report.