Demonstrations took place in numerous cities across the United States over the weekend as protesters denounced the administration of Donald Trump for launching a unilateral military operation in Venezuela. The protests unfolded even as segments of the Venezuelan diaspora publicly welcomed the removal of the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Activists gathered in several urban centers to oppose what they described as an illegal intervention and to warn that the operation could escalate into a broader conflict. Demonstrators also condemned the U.S. action that led to Maduro’s capture early Saturday and his transfer to the United States to face drug-trafficking charges.
The detained Venezuelan leader is expected to appear in federal court in New York City on Monday afternoon.
Rallies were reported in cities across the country, including Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Seattle, where hundreds of people turned out to voice opposition to the military action.
Organizers said the demonstrations were meant to highlight concerns that Washington had violated Venezuelan sovereignty. Speaking at a rally in Seattle, Taylor Young of the ANSWER Coalition said protesters were gathering in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and to oppose the use of public funds for foreign military operations.
Young argued that citizens had a responsibility to publicly challenge actions taken in their name. According to organizers, similar rallies were coordinated in multiple cities across the country.
Despite the protests, many Republican officials continued to support the president’s actions. Some praised the operation that led to Maduro’s capture, even as senior figures softened earlier remarks suggesting the United States might directly administer Venezuela during a transitional period.
Critics also questioned whether the president had the legal authority to launch the operation without congressional approval. Several Democratic leaders argued that bypassing Congress violated constitutional requirements for oversight of military actions. International critics likewise accused Washington of breaching the principles of the United Nations Charter.
At demonstrations, participants carried placards reading “No Blood for Oil” and “Stop Bombing Venezuela,” while speakers warned that U.S. intervention could worsen instability in the region.
Some protesters also connected the issue to domestic immigration policies affecting Venezuelans living in the United States. Activists argued that U.S. policy was contributing to instability abroad while simultaneously deporting migrants back to countries affected by conflict.
In Brooklyn, protesters gathered outside the detention facility where Maduro is reportedly being held. Chanting “Free Maduro now,” they called for his immediate release and an end to U.S. involvement in Venezuela.
The demonstrations highlight deep divisions within the United States over the intervention. While many Venezuelan expatriates celebrated the fall of Maduro’s government, others expressed concern that the U.S. operation could lead to prolonged foreign involvement in the country’s political future.
