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Protests have flared in major cities such as Philadelphia and New York City following the announcement of the U.S. capture of Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolás Maduro.
Video footage posted to X showed protesters marching through New York City carrying signs that said, “Free Pres. Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, Now!” and “No Blood For Oil.”
As reported by ABC7NY, demonstrators gathered in Times Square to voice their opposition to Maduro’s apprehension. The protesters argued that the motives behind his capture were not related to drug trafficking or the promotion of democracy, but were instead focused on seizing oil resources and exerting control over Latin America.
The news outlet highlighted a mixed reaction among Venezuelans. While some celebrated the news of Maduro’s capture, others expressed concern for their relatives who remain in Venezuela.
Marilla Moreira, who left Venezuela nearly three decades ago during the Chavez era, expressed her joy, saying she was “so happy.” In contrast, Kenia Fernandez, who relocated to the city a year and a half ago, shared her mother’s fears from back home.
“She told me not to send any videos or anything to her in Venezuela because she’s afraid they’ll intercept her phone or social media,” Fernandez explained to the outlet.
In Philadelphia, “more than 100 people” were reported to have “marched from Philadelphia City Hall to the U.S. Armed Forces recruitment center on Spring Garden Street,” calling for Congress “to take back its power,” according to WHYY.org.
Protesters in the city held up signs with the words, “No War on Venezuela,” and “End U.S. Imperialism,” according to the outlet.
One person, David Gibson, one of the organizers of the protest, said Congress is “supposed to represent the people,” adding that citizens are supposed to be “the ones who are supposed to decide whether or not to go to war.”
Another organizer, who was described as being “a Venezuelan American and Philadelphia resident” stated that the protesters were gathered because they “agree that Venezuela should have sovereignty.”
“We’re all here because we agree that Venezuela should have sovereignty,” the man said. “We’re here because we believe that Venezuela should be free from U.S. imperial aggression and violence.”
The protests come after President Donald Trump announced on Saturday morning that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were “captured and flown out of the country.”
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Maduro and his wife had “been indicted in the Southern District of New York.”
“Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States,” Bondi said.
