Caracas, Venezuela(CNN) On April 30, Venezuela seemed to be on the verge of a historic military and civilian uprising. The next day, that momentum died, and the country that had been bracing for change ended up trudging into a week much like any other.

As opposition leader Juan Guaidó and his US ally puzzle over their failures to wrest control of the government from Nicolas Maduro, the embattled president is moving to assert his strength and enforce a new normal across Venezuela. In the past 10 days, his administration has blamed his former intelligence chief Manuel Cristopher Figuera for the uprising, purged the military of disloyal members, forced opposition politicians into hiding and re-opened borders with its neighbors.

Guaidó's supporters shout slogans at a demonstration in Caracas on May 4.

Things are under (Maduro's) control, the government seems to be saying. Yet the country continues its economic downward spiral. And Guaidó, who has been recognized by more than 50 nations as the country's legitimate interim president, is not backing down; as his movement entered its fifth month, he called for renewed protests on Saturday, May 11.

Before it all kicks off again, here's what has happened over the past week.

Venezuela re-opens borders with Brazil and Aruba

View of the Brazil-Venezuelan border crossing in Pacaraima, Roraima state on May 10.

After months of border closures due to tensions over humanitarian aid deliveries, some have been re-opened, demonstrating that Maduro's government remains in control of its borders. On Friday, Venezuela's Economy Vice President Tareck El Aissami declared in a televised speech that the country's borders with Brazil and Aruba had been re-opened in order to "restore economic, social, political and cultural life."

Opposition politicians under attack

But restoring Venezuela's "economic, social, political and cultural life" is at odds with developments inside the country: At least 10 legislators from the opposition's National Assembly were stripped of their diplomatic immunity by the Venezuelan Supreme Court these past few days. The court alleged that they were part of last week's attempted uprising, and accused them of "treason, conspiracy, instigation of an insurrection, and civil rebellion," among other crimes.

Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez at the gate of the Spanish ambassador's residence on May 02.

Three of these politicians have gone into hiding, requesting protection at the Argentine and Italian embassies in the capital city Caracas. So has opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, a longtime mentor to Guaidó, who is now sheltered with his family by the Spanish Ambassador. Lopez broke his years-long house arrest last week, appearing alongside Guaidó as they called for the military to join their movement.

Not all have found protection. National Assembly Vice-President Edgar Zambrano, a close ally for Guaidó, was detained by Venezuela's intelligence agency (SEBIN) on Wednesday by nine hooded officers. When he refused to exit his car, they towed the entire vehicle to their Caracas headquarters, the Helicoide.

Guaidó's military supporters have scattered

Perhaps fearing a similar fate, the soldiers who proudly wore blue bands last week in support of Guaidó are no longer advertising their loyalty. Many have gone into hiding, too afraid to speak out for fear of their own safety and that of their families, CNN has learned. Harassment, threats, intimidation are among the retribution their families can face.

Venezuela's military is key to tipping the political balance between Maduro and Guaidó, who admits that too few troops defected that fateful Tuesday.

Surrounded by soldiers, Guaidó called for a military uprising against Maduro outside the airforce base La Carlota on April 30.

President Maduro has shown much of his support among the armed forces recently, appearing in a video on state-run television with hundreds of uniformed rank and file kneeling at his feet, chanting their support and loyalty for their commander in chief.

In a letter directed to the armed forces last week, Guaidó declared that it was time to act. That message, peacefully delivered on paper to different military bases across the country, was either burned or refused. But Guaidó and his supporters continue to call for the armed forces to switch sides, and argue that only fear of reprisal holds them back.

The protesters' fate

Footage from last week's uprising captured government vehicles appearing to target and drive into crowds of protesters. At least five people have died and around 233 people detained during protests across the country since April 30, according to Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab. Amnesty International reports more that than 200 people were injured "during state repression of protests."

In photos: Venezuela in crisis A woman demonstrates in front of police outside the Venezuelan navy headquarters in Caracas on Saturday, May 4. Anti-government demonstrators gather in Caracas on Sunday, May 5. Opposition leader Juan Guaido gives a speech to opposition leaders and workers for the Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company PDVSA on Friday, May 3. In this handout photo, released by the Miraflores Press Office, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, center, is accompanied by military officers as he arrives for a meeting with troops at Caracas' Fort Tiuna on Thursday, May 2. Opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez speaks to the media at the gate of the Spanish ambassador's residence in Caracas on May 2. Lopez is meant to be on house arrest, but he said on Twitter that he was released by the military. He and his family have been received as guests by Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva Fernández following his release. Journalists carry reporter Gregory Jaimes, who was injured Wednesday, May 1, while covering clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in Caracas. Anti-government protesters clash with security forces during the May Day protests in Caracas. Anti-government protesters clash with security forces on May 1. National Police forces detain anti-government protesters near the La Carlota airbase during clashes in Caracas on May 1. Guaido, who has been recognized by many countries as Venezuela's interim president, speaks during a rally in Caracas on May 1. Members of Venezuela's National Guard clash with protesters on May 1. Anti-government protesters prepare to clash with security forces in Caracas. A Maduro supporter displays a poster of him during a rally on May 1. An anti-government protester is assisted during clashes with security forces on May 1. Members of Venezuela's National Militia attend a pro-government rally in Caracas on May 1. Members of the military who support Guaido fire into the air to repel forces loyal to Maduro on Tuesday, April 30. The Maduro forces were trying to disperse a demonstration near the La Carlota base. An opposition demonstrator is struck by a Venezuelan National Guard vehicle on a street near the La Carlota airbase on April 30. A demonstrator throws a Molotov cocktail at National Guard security forces near the La Carlota airbase on April 30. An opposition demonstrator passes by a government bus that was set on fire during clashes on April 30. Fireworks launched by Maduro opponents land near National Guard armored vehicles. An anti-government protester walks near a bus that was set on fire by Maduro opponents on April 30. Maduro, center, gives a live televised address on April 30. "We have been facing various forms of coup d'etat, due to the obsessive efforts of the Venezuelan right, the Colombian oligarchy and the US empire," he said. He accused "imperialist" forces of seeking "to attack and overthrow a legitimate government to enslave Venezuela." Guaido, center, appears before reporters and photographers outside the airbase in Caracas. To his right is opposition activist Leopoldo Lopez, who is essentially his predecessor. Lopez raises his fist to a crowd of supporters in Caracas on April 30. Lopez is meant to be on house arrest, but he said on Twitter that he was released by the military. People who oppose Maduro confront troops who were firing tear gas at them outside the La Carlota airbase on April 30. Maduro opponents face off with Maduro loyalists in armored vehicles. Opposition demonstrators help an injured man near the airbase. A handgun belonging to a soldier is seen on the ground, along with bullets. An opposition demonstrator throws back a tear-gas canister. A water cannon in sprayed on Maduro opponents in Caracas on April 30. Soldiers who oppose Maduro's government take cover on an overpass. Military members loyal to Maduro run under a cloud of tear gas after being repelled with rifle fire from pro-Guaido military members on April 30. Opposition demonstrators prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes with soldiers loyal to Maduro. Soldiers who have joined Guaido's cause take position during clashes with Maduro loyalists in Caracas. A pro-Guaido military member throws a tear-gas canister during a confrontation with guards loyal to Maduro. Opposition supporters march near the airbase. A woman affected by tear gas is aided by fellow opponents of Maduro. A person opposed to the Maduro government returns a tear-gas canister to the pro-Maduro soldiers who launched it. Military members gesture near the airbase. The blue armbands were worn in solidarity to the opposition.

But the protesters that CNN spoke to all voiced their determination to continue fighting for democracy. "We have to continue being in the streets, there's no turning back," 20-year-old student David told CNN. He did not give his last name for fear of reprisal.

"Of course, they are afraid. That is what a dictatorship produces. The relationship of a citizen and the state is that of terror," Guaidó said in a sit-down interview with CNN's Paula Newton this week. He added that he is not only "analyzing the discontent but organizing their hope," so protesters can continue "mobilizing."

The role of the United States

The US is keeping up its economic pressure on both the state oil industry and on high-ranking Maduro loyalists -- on Friday, the US Treasury Department released a statement advising that "persons operating in the defense and security sector of the Venezuelan economy may be subject to sanctions."

But not all Venezuelan citizens are happy with sanctions as a tool to support change in the impoverished nation. Tough US oil sanctions have forced Venezuelan oil exports to plummet, sharply exacerbating the country's existing production issues. In February, several civilians told CNN's Stefano Pozzebon that what they wanted was for the US to lift those blocks, saying that economic pressure was hurting the nation more than anything else. As recently as Thursday, a small group of protesters were seen in Caracas carrying banners and chanting, "no to the blockade."

The US has backed away from a previous tactic of threatening military intervention in recent days. While administration officials continue to echo Trump's claim that "all options are on the table," there appears to be little political appetite for use of force, and neighboring countries have come out firmly against foreign military intervention.

What next?

Most Guaidó supporters told CNN that they see US military action only as a last resort. "Freedom," Aristoteles Bustamante told CNN's Michael Holmes. "I don't want anyone in here -- but if necessary, yes."

For now, Guaidó's movement must focus on reviving popular support, overcoming any fears and waning conviction among civilians. The protests planned for this Saturday call on protesters to "defend Venezuela and the AN (National Assembly) in the streets," according to a flyer.

Both Bustamante and David say they're in for the long haul. "Perhaps you've heard the phrase, 'It's better to live a few days in rebellion and fear than to live a lifetime in fear,'" David says. "That's not what I intend to do."

"We're going to conquer this one way or the other," says Bustamante, when asked about the movement's current prospects. "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one way or the other."