As people around the world, including those in Canada, react to the U. S. detaining Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, a group of protesters in Hamilton is speaking out against the military action.
“We believe that the U. S. has no authority under international law to invade another country and forcibly remove its leader,” said Ken Stone, a member of the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network.
Stone stood with about two dozen other protesters on Monday outside the government building on Bay Street in Hamilton, chanting slogans and holding signs that read, “Hands off Venezuela” and “No war on Venezuela.”
The demonstrators urged the Canadian government to put pressure on the U. S. to send Maduro and Cilia Flores back to Venezuela – similar calls were made by protesters in several other Canadian cities recently.
Maduro and Flores were captured in Caracas during a dramatic U. S. military operation early Saturday and taken to New York City facing charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. They both pleaded not guilty on Monday.
According to Maduro’s lawyer, his client was “abducted” by military forces, while Russia, China, and other Venezuelan allies have condemned the raid. Loyalists still control Venezuela, demanding Maduro’s return.
The Trump administration argues that the criminal charges against Maduro justify their actions. The U. S. ambassador at a Security Council meeting on Monday insisted it wasn’t an act of war but rather a “surgical law enforcement operation.”
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A person holds an image of Maduro as government supporters gather in Caracas on Saturday. (Gaby Oraa/Reuters)
In response, Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Saturday evening that Canada supports the Venezuelan people’s “right to decide their own future peacefully.” He did not directly address whether he believes U. S. actions are legal.
Carney’s office referred CBC Hamilton to Global Affairs Canada for further comment; they did not respond before publication.
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Federico Luchsinger was among those at the demonstration in Hamilton to protest against the U. S. action in Venezuela. (Samantha Beattie/CBC)
Luchsinger acknowledged that some who oppose Maduro might be pleased about his capture but stressed this isn’t how you defeat him properly.
“You cannot intervene and bomb,” he remarked regarding U. S actions. “This is just the beginning.”
He believes America’s motives are clear: they aim to diminish Chinese influence in Latin America while exploiting Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Trump has hinted at plans for controlling Venezuela’s oil industry, which holds some of the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves.
WATCH | Venezuelans in Canada react to Maduro capture:
Venezuelans in Canada react to Maduro captureMany Venezuelans living here celebrated President Nicolas Maduro’s detention but felt anxious about what might happen next under President Donald Trump.
Zainab Naqvi also protested because she’s “sick and tired” of powerful Western nations taking advantage of poorer countries.
American invasions like Iraq’s in 1991 were “clear demonstrations” of U. S imperialism resulting in ongoing suffering, oppression, and racism today, Naqvi expressed.
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‘You cannot intervene and bomb’
No members from the local Venezuelan community appeared at the Hamilton protest, but people from other Latin American nations joined in solidarity. Federico Luchsinger from Chile described what happened as “horrific.” Luchsinger came to Canada 50 years ago as a political refugee after a CIA-supported military coup overthrew then-president Salvador Allende in Chile.
Venezuelans in Canada react to Maduro captureMany Venezuelans living here celebrated President Nicolas Maduro’s detention but felt anxious about what might happen next under President Donald Trump.
Zainab Naqvi also protested because she’s “sick and tired” of powerful Western nations taking advantage of poorer countries.
American invasions like Iraq’s in 1991 were “clear demonstrations” of U. S imperialism resulting in ongoing suffering, oppression, and racism today, Naqvi expressed.
Some Venezuelans glad Maduro is out
A gathering took place Sunday in Montreal where some Venezuelans celebrated Maduro’s ousting. “The first step is always challenging for us,” José Hidalgo told . “Finally someone else has stepped up for better changes.” Geraldine Pacheco from Newfoundland shared her joy as well; she arrived through humanitarian aid visa from Venezuela back in 2024. “Life back home is incredibly tough,” she told CBC. Her parents remain there living under fear due repression along with shortages of food items caused by current governance policies. A steady stream of Venezuelans crossed into Colombia on Monday; many shared mixed feelings filled with uncertainty yet cautious hopefulness about what lies ahead.Source link
