A significant wave of dissent swept across the United States as coordinated demonstrations unfolded in over 100 cities, including New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. The protests, organized under the banner “No War on Venezuela,” were a direct response to the recent U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
In the heart of Manhattan’s Times Square, hundreds of activists gathered on Saturday, brandishing placards with messages such as “Hands Off Venezuela,” “US Out of Caribbean,” and “No War for Venezuelan Oil.” The crowd’s chants of “Defend Venezuela, Free Maduro” reverberated through the iconic urban landscape, creating a powerful visual and auditory statement against American foreign policy.
Protest participants expressed strong condemnation of what they characterized as imperialist aggression. Karen, a middle-aged New Yorker among the demonstrators, articulated a common sentiment: “This war is not about drugs—it is about Venezuela’s oil. How do you have the right to step in Venezuela, to attack Venezuela? It feels like we act as criminals.”
International perspectives joined the chorus of criticism. Hassan, a college student from Pakistan, observed that while U.S.-led regime change efforts were not novel, the current operation represented a departure from previous justification narratives. “At least it wore a mask, like in the name of restoring democracy in the Middle East,” Hassan noted. “However, today it takes the mask off. This is quite nakedly about oil and natural resources.”
The protest movement gained organizational support from the Answer Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), which issued a statement condemning the bombing of Caracas and Maduro’s capture. The anti-war group emphasized the human and economic costs of military intervention, stating: “A US war would cause death and destruction to the people of Venezuela. The war machine consumes an unimaginable amount of our tax dollars while working families struggle to make ends meet.”
Speakers at the rallies directly challenged President Trump’s announcement that the United States would “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be implemented. One Times Square speaker denounced this approach as arrogance, referencing Trump’s statement about claiming Venezuelan resources: “The Venezuelan people will not accept the United States running their country or stealing their oil, gas, gold, or any resources. There will be strong resistance. No, that age is over.”