Anger and jubilation after US arrests Venezuelan leader
Protesters in Australia’s major cities are condemning the US takeover of Venezuela, while others are celebrating the fall of the country’s authoritarian leader.
Hundreds of people gathered on the streets of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth on Sunday following the news that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured.
Mr. Maduro was transferred to New York under U.S. protection following the military offensive in Caracas, which sparked months of tension between the two countries.
While President Donald Trump said that the United States would “rule the country” until a safe, appropriate and reasonable transition, he also announced plans to extract and sell Venezuela’s significant oil reserves.
Demonstrators took to the streets of Australia on Sunday evening to condemn the actions of the US administration.
Protesters in Sydney waved banners saying “Hands off Venezuela” and “Down with imperialism”.
But supporters of the Venezuelan opposition also celebrated Maduro’s fall.
Many were clad in red, blue and yellow, waving the country’s flag and waving photographs of the ousted leader being arrested, with the word “captured” superimposed on his image.
More than 150 people packed the steps of Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station and shouted “shame” when speakers said the ousted president had been “kidnapped”.
“Release Maduro now! No regime change!” They carried banners saying: and “No war for oil! Solidarity with the Venezuelan people”.
One speaker said Mr. Maduro had been “demonized” and shot down claims that he had rigged the election and had ties to drug trafficking.
“This is the clearest example of open propaganda, and its main role is to soften ordinary people to the idea of regime change in Venezuela,” he told the crowd.
Anti-US protesters said they supported Venezuelans defending their sovereignty and demanded the Australian government cut ties and impose sanctions on the US administration.
According to the 2021 census, Australia is home to more than 6,600 Venezuelan-born residents, of whom approximately 10,000 are of Venezuelan descent.
The Australian Venezuelan Association said there would be mixed emotions across the diaspora after many experienced forced separation from loved ones, exile and the long-term effects of authoritarian rule.
“In moments like these, our common hope remains for a free, democratic and united Venezuela where people can live with dignity, security and opportunity,” the association said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called on all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy to avoid tensions while his government monitors the situation.
The United States has previously accused Mr. Maduro of running a narco-state and rigging the country’s 2024 national elections, allegations the ousted president has denied.
Mr. Maduro’s government appears to still be in office, with Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assuming the role of acting president.
Australia’s SmartTraveller website has urged citizens not to travel to the Latin American country due to the unpredictable security situation.
Residents who need assistance should contact the government’s emergency consular assistance team.
