Full Breakdown
Community Organizations Rally Against U.S. Intervention in Venezuela
1/4/2026, 10:30:11 PM
Protest Against U.S. Military Action
On Saturday, community organizations gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest the United States' military intervention in Venezuela, which resulted in the removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power. The U.S. operation, described as a sudden nighttime action, led to Maduro's capture and subsequent detention in New York. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would assume provisional administrative control over Venezuela, aiming to exploit its extensive oil reserves. This intervention follows previous indictments against Maduro and other officials for narco-terrorism, with a new indictment recently unsealed by the Department of Justice labeling the Venezuelan government as a "corrupt, illegitimate government" involved in drug trafficking.
Rally Details and Demands
The "Hands Off Venezuela" rally, organized by groups including Unión del Barrio and the Community Self-Defense Coalition, took place at Pershing Square amid rain, where protest chants filled the air. Demonstrators expressed their primary demand for the immediate release of Nicolás Maduro, characterizing Trump's actions as a form of "psychological warfare." John Parker from the Harriett Tubman Center for Social Justice condemned the U.S. operation as a "brutal assault" and called for Trump's incarceration alongside Maduro's freedom.
Perspectives on U.S. Intervention
Participants voiced concerns that the military operation, framed by the Trump administration as a measure to combat drug trafficking, could escalate into a prolonged conflict. Sister Diana from the Palestinian Youth Movement remarked on the historical pattern of U.S. interventions leading to local uprisings, suggesting that the Venezuelan populace would likely resist foreign control. Ron Gochez of Unión del Barrio echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that past U.S. actions have consistently provoked public dissent.
Support for the Bolivarian Revolution
The rally also highlighted support for the Bolivarian Revolution, a socialist movement initiated by Hugo Chavez in 1999 and continued under Maduro's leadership. Activists articulated their solidarity with this movement as part of their broader opposition to U.S. interventionist policies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While many rally participants expressed solidarity with Maduro, some Venezuelans in Los Angeles reportedly felt optimistic about his capture, viewing it as a potential turning point. This divergence in sentiment illustrates the complex reactions among the Venezuelan diaspora regarding U.S. actions and the future of their homeland.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We categorically denounce the aggressive strike and the kidnapping orchestrated by the criminal U.S. administration; one of our primary demands should be the incarceration of Trump and the freedom of Maduro,” — John Parker, Harriett Tubman Center for Social Justice
- “The U.S. government has moved past the stage of trying to manufacture public consent for this military aggression,” — Sister Diana, Palestinian Youth Movement
- “Whenever the U.S. has pursued these types of interventions globally, the citizens eventually revolt. They will certainly rise up again,” — Ron Gochez, Unión del Barrio
