Amid global efforts to comprehend the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, some demonstrators in Hamilton, Canada, are condemning the military intervention. Ken Stone, a member of the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network, emphasized that the U.S. lacks the legal authority to invade another country and forcibly remove its head of state.
Approximately two dozen protesters gathered outside the government of Canada building in Hamilton, holding signs that read “Hands off Venezuela” and “No war on Venezuela.” They urged the Canadian government to press the U.S. to repatriate Maduro and Cilia Flores to Venezuela, echoing similar calls in other Canadian cities.
Maduro and Flores were apprehended in Caracas in a daring U.S. military operation and transported to New York City to face charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. Both pleaded not guilty on Monday, as confirmed by their lawyer. The raid has drawn condemnation from allies of Venezuela, including Russia and China.
In response to the capture, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed support for the Venezuelan people’s right to determine their future peacefully and democratically. However, he refrained from directly commenting on the legality of the U.S. actions, redirecting inquiries to Global Affairs Canada for official statements.
Although Venezuelan community members were not present at the Hamilton demonstration, individuals from other Latin American countries voiced their opposition to the U.S.’s actions. Federico Luchsinger, a Chilean political refugee in Canada, criticized the intervention, drawing parallels to past U.S. involvement in Chile’s political affairs.
Luchsinger emphasized the need to refrain from military interventions and underscored what he perceived as the U.S.’s underlying motives in Venezuela, including countering Chinese influence and exploiting the country’s oil reserves. President Donald Trump’s reported interest in controlling Venezuela’s oil industry further fuels concerns among critics.
Attendees at the protest, such as Zainab Naqvi, expressed frustration with Western powers exploiting vulnerable nations. Naqvi cited past U.S. military interventions in the Middle East as examples of imperialistic actions that have perpetuated suffering and oppression in the affected regions.
While some Venezuelans in Canada celebrated Maduro’s removal, others like José Hidalgo in Montreal expressed optimism for a better future. Geraldine Pacheco in Newfoundland, who fled Venezuela due to the dire situation under Maduro’s rule, echoed similar sentiments about the challenging conditions in her home country.
Notably, a growing number of Venezuelans have crossed into Colombia, signaling a mix of uncertainty and hope for what lies ahead. The evolving situation continues to spark varied reactions and concerns within the Venezuelan diaspora.
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