Protesters opposed to the U.S. military operation in Venezuela gathered on Sunday outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They called for the release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is facing narcoterrorism charges after arriving in New York on January 3, 2026. The demonstrators criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for what they described as illegal actions against Venezuela.
Zoe Alexandra, a member of the ANSWER Coalition, an anti-war and anti-racism group, articulated the concerns of many present. “What’s stopping Trump from doing this to other countries?” she asked, highlighting fears regarding U.S. interventionism. Protesters occupied a section of the sidewalk across from where Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were being held, emphasizing their opposition to the military strikes.
The protest was aimed at condemning the military operation, named Operation Absolute Resolve, which critics argue is driven more by Venezuela’s vast oil reserves than by the narcoterrorism charges levied against Maduro since 2020. Alexandra questioned the U.S. government’s commitment to fighting drug trafficking, pointing to the release of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who also faced drug-related convictions in the same court.
Supporters of U.S. military action, meanwhile, argue that Maduro’s capture was necessary for the Venezuelan people, who have endured years of hardship under his authoritarian regime. Esteban Chacin, a Venezuelan exile who left the country nine years ago, expressed the view that change was long overdue. “The life we left was unsustainable,” he said, underscoring the dire circumstances many Venezuelans face.
Another protester, Zulimar Mendoza, who has been working in the U.S. to support her family back home, shared her perspective on the situation. “I saw families, entire families, eating from the garbage,” she stated. Mendoza emphasized the sacrifices she makes, believing they are necessary for a better future for Venezuela.
The weekend’s demonstrations featured Venezuelan flags, symbolizing hope for many who see Maduro’s capture as a potential turning point. However, not all residents in New York view the situation positively. Lucy Pagoada from Queens criticized the celebrations surrounding Maduro’s capture, calling it a “celebration of a crime” and questioning the morality of the U.S. intervention.
As the Trump administration announced temporary U.S. control over Venezuela, Venezuelans in New York City expressed their hopes for the future. Chacin remarked, “I just hope that if it all falls in the hands of Venezuelans, that we can dictate our own future.” The ongoing debate reflects the complex emotions surrounding the U.S. military action and its potential implications for Venezuela’s political landscape.
