Mass Rallies in Caracas as Maduro Faces US Trial

(MENAFN) More than a thousand demonstrators filled the streets of Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, on Monday evening to express solidarity with President Nicolas Maduro, who appeared in a New York courtroom for his first arraignment after being seized by US forces.

In central Caracas, participants joined the “Great March for Venezuela,” denouncing the American military intervention and what they described as the kidnapping of their leader.
Supporters of Maduro carried placards and shouted slogans including “We want him back,” “Return our working-class president,” “Sovereignty is not negotiable,” and “We will always be loyal to Maduro.”

Pro Maduro gatherings were not limited to Venezuela. Similar demonstrations occurred abroad, notably in Cuba, Colombia, and several European nations such as Spain.

At the same time, Venezuelan opposition groups and right wing movements in different regions organized rallies backing the US operation.

The American mission, announced by President Donald Trump and executed on January 3, 2026, involved aerial strikes and a special forces raid. This action led to Maduro and his wife being transported out of Venezuela to face long standing federal accusations, including narco terrorism and conspiracy to traffic narcotics.

The contested presidential election of July 2024 saw Venezuela’s National Electoral Council declare Maduro victorious with about 51% of the vote, though international monitors and the US questioned the legitimacy of the result.

Following Maduro’s capture, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and interim leader Vice President Delcy Rodriguez—appointed acting president by the Supreme Court—issued strong denunciations of the US intervention.

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