Protesters Rally Against U.S. Military Actions in Venezuela
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Times Square on Saturday afternoon to voice their opposition to the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. This demonstration coincided with recent boat strikes targeting vessels suspected of carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela, raising tensions between the two nations.
The event, organized by the ANSWER Coalition, was titled “No War On Venezuela, National Day of Action.” Demonstrators displayed signs reading, “U.S. out of the Caribbean,” while chanting slogans such as, “No war on Venezuela!” and “Fight back!” The rally took place around 14:00 local time, emphasizing the participants’ call for peace and their disapproval of U.S. military interventions.
According to a recent poll by CBS News, approximately 70% of Americans oppose military intervention against Venezuela. The ANSWER Coalition highlighted that many citizens recognize the questionable justifications provided by the Trump administration regarding drug trafficking. “Trump is unconstitutionally bypassing a Congressional declaration of war or even authorization of use of force,” the coalition stated, criticizing U.S. military tactics including “double-tap” strikes that allegedly target survivors of initial attacks.
Manolo De Los Santos, executive director of the People’s Forum, addressed the crowd, asserting that “No country the U.S. has invaded has ever been left better. It has only left destruction in its wake.” He drew parallels between the current situation in Venezuela and the U.S. invasion of Iraq, emphasizing the repetition of past mistakes.
The demonstration remained peaceful, with no arrests reported. In contrast, President Donald Trump and the Pentagon have defended the military actions, claiming they are combating narcoterrorism and targeting drug smugglers contributing to the opioid crisis in the United States. Since early September, strikes have targeted at least 23 vessels, resulting in approximately 90 fatalities.
Federal officials reported that a vessel destroyed on September 2, 2025, was operated by the Tren de Aragua gang and was allegedly smuggling drugs to the U.S. They classified the vessel as a threat to American citizens. However, reports indicate that the crew intended to transfer contraband to a larger ship bound for Suriname.
Critics have raised concerns regarding the legality of the boat strikes. The September 2 incident, where two survivors were reportedly killed in a follow-up attack, has sparked debate over potential violations of the law of armed conflict, particularly regarding the treatment of combatants who are incapacitated or surrender.
Venezuela, under the leadership of Nicolas Maduro, faces immense challenges, including widespread corruption and poverty, despite possessing the world’s largest oil reserves. The Trump administration has labeled Maduro as an “illegitimate” leader, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region.
As tensions continue to escalate, both sides remain firm in their positions, illustrating the complexity of U.S.-Venezuela relations and the implications of military actions in the Caribbean.
