A group of protesters in Hamilton, Canada, voiced their disapproval of the recent U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Demonstrators gathered outside the government building in Hamilton, holding signs with messages like “Hands off Venezuela” and “No war on Venezuela.” They called on the Canadian government to urge the U.S. to return Maduro and his wife to Venezuela, echoing similar protests in other Canadian cities.
Maduro and his wife were apprehended in Caracas by the U.S. military over the weekend and transported to New York City to face charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. They both pleaded not guilty on Monday. Maduro’s lawyer described the operation as an “abduction,” prompting condemnation from Venezuela’s allies like Russia and China.
While President Trump’s administration defended the capture, stating it was justified by the criminal charges, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada emphasized the Venezuelan people’s right to determine their future democratically. At the Hamilton protest, individuals from various Latin American countries expressed concerns over what they perceived as unwarranted U.S. intervention in Venezuela.
One protester, Federico Luchsinger, highlighted past U.S. interventions in Latin America and suggested ulterior motives behind the recent actions, including gaining control of Venezuela’s oil reserves. Trump’s interest in Venezuela’s oil industry, which holds the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, has also been noted.
Participants at the protest criticized Western powers for exploiting weaker nations, drawing parallels to past instances of U.S. imperialism in the Middle East. In contrast, some Venezuelans in Montreal and Newfoundland welcomed Maduro’s removal, citing hope for a better future. The situation in Venezuela remains uncertain, with many crossing into neighboring countries like Colombia amid mixed feelings about the future.