In early January 2026, following the dramatic U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, protests erupted across American cities condemning President Trump’s actions as an illegal intervention and act of imperialism. Demonstrators in places like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles rallied with signs reading “Hands Off Venezuela,” “No Blood for Oil,” and “Release Maduro Now,” framing the strikes and capture as a resource grab rather than justice.
These gatherings were largely organized by longstanding anti-war and socialist groups, such as the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), Code Pink, and other leftist networks that mobilized rapidly via social media and activist channels. Speakers decried the operation as a violation of international law, bypassing Congress, and echoing past U.S. interventions in Latin America.
Strikingly, reports from multiple sources highlight a near-total absence of Venezuelan nationals among the protesters. In contrast, Venezuelan diaspora communities—particularly in South Florida’s “Doralzuela,” Houston, New York, and abroad in Colombia, Spain, and Chile—overwhelmingly celebrated Maduro’s removal, waving flags, singing anthems, and expressing relief after years of economic collapse, repression, and mass exodus under his rule. Over eight million Venezuelans have fled since 2014, many viewing Maduro as a dictator responsible for widespread suffering.
This divide underscores a broader pattern: while Maduro retains some support within Venezuela among government loyalists, his backing in the U.S. appears limited to ideological allies on the far left rather than the expatriate community most directly affected by his policies. Critics argue these protests reflect anti-Trump sentiment or anti-imperialist principles more than genuine advocacy for Maduro, whose regime has been widely condemned for human rights abuses and electoral fraud.
As Maduro faces U.S. charges including narco-terrorism, the protests highlight polarized views on American foreign policy, but the lack of Venezuelan participation raises questions about their representation of the nation’s people.
SOURCES:
Maduro Arrives in N.Y.; Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Run’ Venezuela – The New York Times
Trump says U.S. is ‘in charge’ of Venezuela and sends warning to interim leader
Protests in US cities over Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela | Venezuela | The Guardian
Venezuelans react to US Maduro arrest with hope and uncertainty
Trump says second Venezuela strike possible if government does not cooperate | Reuters
January 4, 2026 — Maduro awaits court appearance | CNN
Maduro’s Capture Prompts Protests and Celebrations in U.S. Cities – The New York Times
