Amid rising tensions and calls for justice, thousands gathered in Caracas to rally for the return of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were recently taken by U.S. forces. This demonstration symbolizes not just a demand for their release, but also a broader plea for national sovereignty that resonates across Venezuela. The unity of various factions during this rally underscores a growing resistance against foreign interventions in domestic affairs, while shedding light on the intricacies of Venezuela’s political landscape.
In a vivid display of solidarity, thousands marched through the streets of Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, demanding the release of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, exactly one month after U.S. forces abducted the couple in a dramatic nighttime raid on January 3. The demonstration, dubbed “Gran Marcha” (The Great March), drew crowds chanting “Venezuela needs Nicolas!” as supporters carried signs emblazoned with calls for the couple’s return from detention in a U.S. prison.
One demonstrator poignantly expressed, “The empire kidnapped them. We want them back,” referencing the widespread sentiment that the abduction was an affront to the nation’s sovereignty. The son of the detained president, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, addressed the rally, asserting that the U.S. military’s actions “will remain marked like a scar on our face, forever.” He lamented that “our homeland’s soil was desecrated by a foreign army” during the harrowing night of the abduction, highlighting the emotional toll on citizens who feel betrayed by foreign intervention.
The march, organized by the government and featuring many public sector employees, stretched for several hundred meters, characterized by a festive atmosphere with trucks playing music as demonstrators walked. Local media outlet ZezapTV reported that this rally was part of a larger “global day of action,” with supporters from around the world also advocating for the couple’s release under banners proclaiming “Bring them back” and “Hands off Venezuela.”
According to ZezapTV, the international demonstrations reflected a consensus of various ideological groups, all agreeing that the detention of Maduro and Flores constitutes a blatant violation of international law and poses a grave threat to national sovereignty. Jose Perdomo, a 58-year-old municipal employee who participated in the Caracas rally, expressed his turmoil, stating, “We feel confused, sad, angry. There are a lot of emotions.” He voiced his belief that “sooner or later, they will have to free our president,” while also acknowledging support for interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.
Since her rise to leadership, Rodriguez has navigated a complex political environment, attempting to satisfy both Maduro’s loyalists and meet U.S. demands, particularly concerning Venezuela’s extensive oil reserves. Trump has indicated a willingness to collaborate with Rodriguez, but only if Caracas aligns with his agenda. With the promise of reform and domestic reconciliation, Rodriguez has already taken steps to release hundreds of political prisoners and opened the nationalized energy sector to private investment.
On the same day, hundreds of university students and families of political prisoners joined the call for swift approval of an amnesty law that Rodriguez pledged would liberate detainees currently held in Venezuelan jails, although such legislation has yet to receive parliamentary consideration. As supporters continue to rally for justice and national autonomy, the situation in Venezuela remains fluid, reflecting the deep complexities of its sociopolitical landscape and the enduring impact of foreign involvement.
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