CARACAS, Venezuela — Protests have led to clashes with police in Venezuela. Demonstrators are demanding the release of political prisoners and are outraged over the death of a former prisoner’s mother.

Local 10 News was on the ground in the capital of Caracas, in a neighborhood some have described as a “bubble” from extreme poverty.

But those comfortable enough to speak publicly also call it a mirage, saying that conditions are worse than they appear.

One resident showed Local 10 News a chat group that showed that he and other residents are limited to having water only during certain hours of the day.

With the ouster of Nicolas Maduro in January, the Trump administration paved the way for oil and gas business expansion. New ties lifted sanctions.

But the resident told Local 10 News, “This is worse than before.”

The reality of building Venezuelan citizens a stable economy is a tougher task to undertake, as is protesting a government that still holds political prisoners.

An angry crowd at a university Monday lashed out at the weekend’s death of Carmen Navas, an 82-year-old mother searching publicly for her son since he disappeared two years ago, only to learn weeks ago he had died in detention last year, classified as a political prisoner.

Caracas residents said they think that if Maduro were still in power, the government backlash to the protests would have been worse.

Some protesters were detained, but later released.

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