Brooklyn, NY – At a late afternoon press conference, January 6, anti-war and international solidarity activists blasted the U.S. war on Venezuela and blasted the kidnaping of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. President Maduro and Cilia Flores are currently be held Metropolitan Detention Center.

By Chanel Crittenden and Gio Araujo

Chicago, IL – On Saturday, January 3, around 2000 people gathered downtown in Chicago’s Federal Plaza to join an emergency rally denouncing the U.S. empire’s latest series of military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

This rally was one of many emergency responses called by the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) after the United States government conducted bomb strikes across several Venezuelan territories: the capital Caracas, Aragua, La Guaira and Miranda. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the invasion concluded with the kidnapping of the democratically-elected president Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

Caracas, Venezuela – Nearly 1000 people from over 70 countries attended a videoconference with the Ministry of Popular Power and Foreign Affairs of Venezuela in the morning of January 5. A continuation of the Assembly of the Peoples of Our America for Peace and Sovereignty that met in Caracas on December 9 and 10, participants expressed their solidarity with Venezuela in the face of the brutal military aggression of the United States and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

Caracas, Venezuela – Del 9 al 11 de diciembre, miembros de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL) participaron en una delegación de solidaridad a Venezuela, junto con miembros de la Red de Acción Anti-Guerra, la Alianza Nacional En Contra De La Represión Racista y Política, el Partido Mundo Obrero y el Centro Harriet Tubman. Estuvieron presentes para asistir a la Asamblea Internacional de los Pueblos por la Soberanía y la Paz, organizada por el Instituto Simón Bolívar para la Paz y la Solidaridad entre los Pueblos.

Detroit, MI – Despite the chilly weather, over 50 people came to Hart Plaza to protest Trump’s wars and his agenda in commemoration of Human Rights Day, December 13.

As part of the rally, Daanyal Syed of Detroit Anti-War Committee stated, “This administration is bloodthirsty and looking to both plunder Venezuela for its oil and gold and use our tax dollars to stimulate the war economy. We know this because the very same war profiteers who profit off war with Venezuela have already made and continue to make millions off the genocide of Palestinians, the horrifying conditions in Sudan, in the Philippines, and across the world wherever the U.S. intervenes.”

Caracas, Venezuela – On the evening of December 10, U.S. delegates to the People's Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace in our America joined other internationalists at the Venezuelan Ministry of Popular Power for Women to learn from leaders of the women's movement and come together in celebration of the women's struggle around the world.

Caracas, Venezuela – From December 9 to 11, members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) participated in a solidarity delegation to Venezuela, along with members of the Anti-War Action Network, National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Workers World Party and the Harriet Tubman Center. They were there to attend the International Peoples' Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace hosted by the Simón Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity Among Peoples.

On the final day of the conference, participants had the honor to visit Amilivaca Commune to hear President Maduro speak on the wins of the Venezuelan commune system and the valiant fight for peace against U.S. imperialism.

Caracas, Venezuela – On December 9, thousands of organizers from across the Americas attended the International People’s Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace of our Americas.

One clear strategy rang clear the entire day – we need a united front to win all that can be won.

Milwaukee, WI – On Sunday, December 7, the Milwaukee Anti-War Committee (MAC) hosted a commemoration of International Human Rights Day, answering the national call for a week of action by the Anti-War Action Network. International Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations in 1948.

The event began with a march, followed by a program portion featuring a panel of local organizers, a keynote speaker, and the presentation of the 4th annual Lucille Berrien Humanitarian Award.

Chicago, IL – On November 19, over 100 protesters gathered at Federal Plaza for a Venezuela solidarity rally, chanting “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air! U.S. out of everywhere!” and “No war on Venezuela!” 

“The U.S. has tightened its ongoing sanctions on Venezuela and doubled its bounty on President Maduro to $50 million because U.S. billionaires have set their eyes on Venezuelan oil. Invading Venezuela is a violation of international law, so the Trump administration is fabricating a completely false pretense to justify its war: narco-terrorism and immigration,” said Caeli Kean, co-chair of Anti-War Committee (AWC) Chicago. 

New Orleans, LA – On Sunday, November 23, two dozen activists packed a room for a panel about Venezuela and the U.S.’s escalating aggression and war against it. Freedom Road Socialist Organization organized the panel in collaboration with leaders from the student and anti-war movements.

Austin, TX – On November 20, Austin Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a speak out against a U.S. war on Venezuela. A group of students and faculty gathered for speeches at the George Washington statue on the University of Texas campus

Grand Rapids, MI – On Friday, November 21, almost 40 people gathered in downtown Grand Rapids to rally in solidarity with Venezuela, and to hold a vigil for the civilians killed in Trump’s airstrikes in the Caribbean.

The event, organized by the newly-founded Grand Rapids Opponents of War (GROW), featured speeches from the Progressive Students Union, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the GR Coalition to Oppose Trump, and the Anti-War Action Network’s Tom Burke.

Milwaukee, WI – On Saturday, November 22, around 30 people gathered at Milwaukee City Hall to demand U.S. hands off Venezuela. They brought Venezuelan flags and signs with messages such as “From Caracas to Jenin, stop the U.S. war machine” and “No blood for oil.”

Detroit, MI – As part of the Week of Action called by the United National Antiwar Coalition and the Anti War Action Network, Detroit Anti-War Committee organized a march and rally, November 22, to demand “Hands Off Venezuela.” Over 20 community members showed up.

Tucson, AZ – On November 22, The Tucson Anti War Committee (TAWC) and a host of organizations wanted to let the thousands of bicyclists in the annual El Tour de Tucson know that, as they passed the Air Force base, people with a conscience demand “Hands off Venezuela!”

Minneapolis, MN – On a chilly Nov. 18, a group of over 70 protesters gathered outside Senator Amy Klobuchar's office in downtown Minneapolis to demand that she stand against President Trump’s attacks against Venezuela.

Tucson, AZ – Cities all across the U.S. and world are mobilizing for “Hands Off Venezuela “rallies – an International Call for a Week of Action endorsed by hundreds of organizations is taking place November 15-23.

Seattle, WA – Seattle anti-war activists rallied November 15 at Mount Baker Light Rail station for a short program of speeches before marching to the nearby overpass, where they dropped a banner and chanted to denounce the U.S. sinking of Venezuelan boats. Pedestrians slowed to watch, with some taking photos and others raising fists in solidarity as the group made their demands for an end to U.S. military action in Venezuela.

Chicago, IL – On Tuesday, November 4, several organizations led by the Chicago Committee Against War & Racism organized a press conference demanding that the United States stay out of Venezuela.

“Viva viva Venezuela,” the crowd chanted, showcasing their support of Venezuela and opposition to a U.S. invasion.