It’s probably fair to say that they turned up in their thousands in the hope rather than the belief that Juan Guaido would make it back to Venezuela and onto a rally in Caracas.

The first hint that he was indeed through passport control at the main airport came from the stage and was greeted with a huge cheer and a football style chant from the terraces of “Guaido, Guaidoguaidoguaido, Guaido”; you know the song.

The sudden turning of thousands of heads to look down the street, a forest of arms with phones held high, the thunderous roar of big motorbikes and a sudden surge in the crowd towards the noise confirmed that the man was about to arrive.

It is quite remarkable and I have seen this countless times over the past two months or so. Imagine boyband hysteria, and you have got it.

Dressed in his trademark sharp dark jacket and open necked white shirt he looks every bit the star, and he is mobbed. Properly mobbed. He literally has to battle through the crowds as thousands scream their appreciation.

Guaido has become the talismanic leader of all the opposition to Nicolas Maduro’s rule here. The opposition has spent years splintered and ineffective. Now they have a returning hero.

He has toured South American countries gathering more international support since he crossed to Colombia to oversee the unsuccessful delivery of aid to the country a week or so ago.

Guaido could easily be arrested. He had crossed the border despite a court ruling forbidding him to leave Venezuela.

The government has not specifically ordered his arrest and it is possible that the United States warning of “a significant response” if he is arrested, may have focused minds in the presidential palace.

When he finally appeared on stage with his wife, Fabiana Rosales, at his side, the crowd erupted.

He told them that he is back for good, even brandishing his passport that had apparently been confiscated, and he urged the crowds to stay on the streets and ignore the threats of violence from the security services and pro-Maduro militia.

“After all the threats and after all the hate they spread,” he told his audience.

“There is only one thing, one thing that can defeat hate, and that is love. Love of our people, love to help and to serve, which is what we are doing here,” he said to another roar.

But despite the rallies, the thousands on the streets, the adoring fans and the widespread international recognition, nothing has really changed here. Maduro and the security services remain very much in control.

But talking to people in the crowds there remains a sense of determination to bring about change. Some want a military intervention by the United States or at the very least greater pressure from the international community.

“We need to get our democracy back and we are going to keep on the streets, fighting for our democracy, that’s the common feeling,” Sisbeth Diaz told me as thousands marched towards the rally.

“Anyhow we need support from other countries, from the international community because we cannot fight this alone,” she said.

I asked another opposition supporter if the lack of process was undermining their momentum.

“I know it’s been two months, if you think about it it’s been twenty years so you can wait a couple more months – I will do it, I mean, I think it’s necessary and I think we can finally finish that,” said Daniel Omana.

Despite the apparent political impasse and the lack of apparent progress to oust the government they seem happy to keep up the pressure and remain on the streets.

The crowds really can’t get enough of this man; he has also learned how to milk the crowds.

His speeches are usually followed with hugs to well wishers, and waves from the front of the stage. He has also taken to climbing the scaffolding so people at the back can see him.

It’s Rock n Roll theatre and he is a young star promising change.

More protests are being planned and more mass demonstrations. Doubtless Maduro and his supporters have got the message by now. But it doesn’t mean they or the military have any intention of listening.

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