UPDATE: More protests are set to unfold across the Chicago area today, following the U.S. military’s decisive strikes in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife. Demonstrations erupted yesterday in downtown Chicago, just hours after President Donald Trump announced the military action, with many voicing their strong opposition.
Crowds gathered at Federal Plaza in the Loop, where demonstrators condemned Trump’s actions as an unnecessary act of war. Protesters expressed concerns that the operation was conducted without Congressional approval, igniting fears reminiscent of previous U.S. interventions in international conflicts. Many participants are urging the Trump administration to shift its focus back to pressing domestic issues.
In stark contrast, Venezuelan nationals in the area have welcomed the removal of Maduro’s regime, though the method of his capture has raised significant questions and concerns. Trump’s administration has stated that the U.S. will oversee Venezuela during the transitional period, with Maduro currently detained in a Brooklyn, New York detention center facing serious drug and weapons charges.
As tensions rise, the protests are expected to continue this afternoon in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and in the suburban area of Schaumburg. The demonstrations reflect a deep divide in perspectives on U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding military interventions.
Officials have confirmed that the afternoon gatherings will draw significant crowds, as many seek to voice their opinions on the unfolding situation in Venezuela. With the stakes high, today’s protests could shape the conversation around U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and its implications for national policy.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
