But when members of Venezuela's secret police came for Aixa Daniela Boada López, they announced their arrival with a thump not a tap.
"It was about half past midnight when we heard this loud bang on the roof," said one witness to her detention in the industrial complex of Ciudad Guayana on 1 August.
Black-clad agents from the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, Sebin, were seen smashing their way inside. They carried guns and a picture of the 19-year-old law student they had come to arrest. López was bundled into a vehicle as panicked relatives looked on.
"Neighbours came out to try and protect her but they pointed their weapons at them and took the girl," said the witness, asking for anonymity for fear of a similar fate.
Nearly a month after López's capture, her future remains uncertain, as do those of more than 1,600 people detained during Maduro's roundup of perceived opponents. For protesting against his widely doubted claim to have won the 28 July presidential election, López and others face charges of criminal association and terrorism that could lead to decades in jail.
Venezuela's outlook is equally unsure. "These days, fear and uncertainty are the most accurate words to describe the situation," said Gonzalo Himiob, a writer and activist involved in documenting rights violations some liken to those committed under the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
Maduro's administration tried to draw a line under the crisis this week with the announcement from the pro-government supreme court that it had corroborated his victory over his rival, Edmundo González.
The court's verdict flew in the face of growing international suspicions - even among leftwing politicians traditionally supportive of the movement created by Maduro's mentor, Hugo Chávez - that the incumbent's claim to victory did not stack up.
Denne historien er fra August 26, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 26, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Scientists develop 'vaccine' to protect bees from pesticides
Scientists have developed a \"vaccine\" for bees against pesticides - and it appears to work, according to an initial study.
Jewish Chronicle IDF inquiry into claims of stories planted for disinformation campaign
The Israel Defense Forces have launched an investigation into allegations in the Israeli media that the London-based Jewish Chronicle published stories based on \"fabricated intelligence\" relating to Hamas, amid claims they may have been planted as part of a disinformation campaign.
'He is far away in Saudi' Ten Hag brushes off Ronaldo's attack over lack of ambition
Erik ten Hag has hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo by pointing out that the Portuguese admitted Manchester United are not well placed to win the biggest trophies this season despite criticising the manager for stating the same.
So much about the Ballon d'Or suggests that it does not care about women's football
The release of the Ballon d'Or shortlists naturally focused on the absence of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the men's top 30 for the first time in 21 years, yet the real glaring omissions were to be found among the awards ceremony's token efforts regarding women's football.
Vaughan and Leach shock Surrey to set up title chase
The County Championship title race has been blown wide open after Somerset snatched a dramatic victory over the leaders, Surrey, with a couple of minutes to spare at Taunton, the champions' stout defensive rearguard toppled after they collapsed from 95 for three to 109 all out in a final hour overflowing with tension.
Pettersen backs Hull to light up the course
But captain causes a surprise by omitting Solheim Cup specialist Maguire from today's opening foursomes
Stellantis halts production of Fiat 500 EV for four weeks due to slowdown in European sales
Stellantis said yesterday it would halt production of the electric Fiat 500 model for four weeks owing to a lack of orders in Europe.
Grangemouth oil refinery to shut and become fuel import terminal with 500 jobs at risk
The owners of the Grangemouth oil refinery confirmed yesterday it would shut by the end of June in a blow to Scotland's industrial base and the site's 500 employees.
Refugees Spanish FC leads town's welcome
They filed on to the football pitch as applause rang out, punctuated by shouts of bienvenidos.
Harris heads to swing states buoyed by debate performance
Kamala Harris embarked on a drive to exploit her strong debate performance yesterday, as the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign pledged to intensify efforts to persuade voters in battleground states deemed essential to winning the White House.