Protests Erupt Over Arrest of Nicolás Maduro

Far-left Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, Graham Platner, is urging Americans to protest the recent arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, labeling it as “immoral” and “totally disgusting.”

A veteran oyster farmer and Bernie Sanders supporter, Platner aims to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming midterm elections. He has been one of the most vocal critics of the Trump administration’s raid in Caracas, which resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Maine Democratic Party is also calling for Americans to prevent further military actions against Venezuela, characterizing the raid as a “failure,” despite no U.S. military casualties reported.

In a statement, Platner declared, “The United States government has illegally invaded a foreign country and kidnapped its leaders.” He shared a video that amassed 500,000 views, urging everyone to oppose what he describes as the government’s “terrible failure.”

Interestingly, his video didn’t address Maduro’s history as a dictator who has persecuted dissenters or the fact that Venezuela has become a hub for drug trafficking. Prosecutors allege that Maduro facilitated the shipment of substantial amounts of cocaine into the U.S.

The Maine Democratic Party’s response also neglected to mention the U.S. military personnel involved in the operation, along with the approximately 8 million Venezuelans who have fled Maduro’s regime. Meanwhile, crowds of Venezuelans in the U.S. and Latin America celebrated Maduro’s removal over the weekend.

During a protest in Portland, Platner expressed outrage at the U.S. military’s actions against Maduro, calling the invasion “not foreign policy” but rather “an international gangster act.” His campaign emphasized this sentiment on social media.

Platner has previously stirred controversy with past social media posts where he referred to himself as a “communist” and suggested that violence might be necessary for political change. Following media scrutiny, he even had to remove a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol.

Having served in the Army and Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan, Platner has also shared critical views on the military and law enforcement.

The Maine Democratic Party condemned Collins for voting against a resolution in November that called for Congressional consent before military action in Venezuela. Platner claimed, “From Iraq to Venezuela, you can count on Susan Collins to enable illegal foreign wars.”

Meanwhile, the Trump administration maintains that Maduro’s arrest was a law enforcement action, not the beginning of conflict. Collins acknowledged Maduro as an “international criminal” but insisted that Congress should have been informed about the operation prior to its execution.

She stated, “Nicolas Maduro is a narco-terrorist and international drug trafficker who has been indicted twice in U.S. courts and must stand trial in this country.”