Over 100 US cities protest against US strikes on Venezuela

NEW YORK - Hundreds of people took to the streets of Manhattan on Saturday to protest against the US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The march was part of nationwide "No war on Venezuela" demonstrations in more than 100 US cities, including Washington, Boston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and Miami.

Protesters gathered in Times Square, waving signs that read "Hands off Venezuela," "US out of Caribbean," "No war for Venezuelan oil," and "Defend Venezuela against US imperialism." Chants of "Defend Venezuela, Free Maduro" echoed through the crowd.

"This war is not about drugs, it is about Venezuela's oil," said Karen, a middle-aged New Yorker in the march.

"How do you have the right to step in Venezuela, to attack Venezuela?" she said. "It feels like we act as criminals."

"We are here to say that this is an unjust action," she added.

Hassan, a college student from Pakistan, said US-led government change efforts abroad were not new, "but at least it wore a mask, like in the name of restoring democracy in the Middle East."

"However, today it takes the mask off," Hassan said. "This is quite nakedly about oil and natural resources."

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that his country has struck Venezuela and captured its President Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife.

Trump said that the United States will "run" Venezuela until "a safe, proper and judicious transition."

"This is not gonna happen," one speaker at the Times Square rally said in response. "It's arrogance."

"Listen to what Trump said today when he said, 'we want all your oil, all your land, all your assets, turn it over to us,'" the speaker added.

"The Venezuelan people will not accept the United States running their country or stealing their oil, gas, gold, or any resources. There will be strong resistance," she said. "No, that age is over."

One of the organizers, Answer Coalition, which stands for Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, condemned the latest US bombing of Caracas and the capture of Maduro, calling on Americans to "say no to another endless war."

"A US war would cause death and destruction to the people of Venezuela. The war machine consumes an unimaginable amount of our tax dollars while working families struggle to make ends meet," the anti-war group said in a statement. "The people need to take to the streets and say no to Trump's war on Venezuela!"