Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets of the capital, Caracas, demanding that the United States release President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The demonstration marked exactly one month since the couple was seized by US forces in a dramatic military operation.
On Tuesday, supporters of Maduro — many waving Venezuelan flags and wearing red, the colour of the ruling Chavista movement — marched through central Caracas.
Chants such as “Venezuela needs Nicolás!” echoed through the streets as demonstrators marched from Plaza Venezuela toward Urdaneta Avenue, holding signs demanding the release of their president and first lady.
One banner read: “The empire kidnapped them. We want them back,” reflecting widespread anger at the US action.
Political leaders address crowd
Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the abducted president’s son and a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly, spoke to the crowd from a stage. He condemned the US military’s operation on January 3 as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty that would leave a lasting mark.
“We have achieved a profound anti-imperialist consciousness,” marchers also said, according to local reports.
State authorities, including Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), publicly supported interim president Delcy Rodríguez’s efforts toward national unity and reconciliation while backing the call for Maduro and Flores’s return.
Rodríguez, who assumed leadership after Maduro’s removal, has been navigating a delicate political balance — responding to domestic demands while engaging with Washington on issues such as Venezuela’s oil sector.
The march was reported as part of a broader “global day of action,” with solidarity demonstrations held by Maduro supporters around the world.
Protesters echoed common slogans like “Bring them back” and “Hands off Venezuela,” underlining deep resentment toward the US operation.
Maduro and Flores were taken into US custody on January 3 during Operation Absolute Resolve, a US military strike that captured the couple and brought them to New York to face federal charges, including alleged drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
Critics say the operation violated international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, while the US frames it as a legal step in prosecuting Maduro’s alleged criminal activities.
