Protests Erupt Over Maduro’s Arrest Linked to Trump Administration
A coalition opposing the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been labeled a socialist dictator, is reportedly backed by the Open Society Foundations, an organization associated with George Soros. This follows President Trump’s military action in Caracas that resulted in Maduro’s detention alongside his wife, Cilia Flores.
In response, the Coalition Against War in Venezuela quickly condemned the U.S. actions. A flyer from the Soros-supported Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ) called for worldwide protests to assert Venezuela’s sovereignty and resistance. The coalition stated, “We, the undersigned anti-imperialist and anti-war organizations, condemn the United States’ violent attack on the rights of the Venezuelan people.”
The AFGJ urged individuals to participate in “massive resistance,” encouraging demonstrations at U.S. embassies and military bases globally, as well as community gatherings and disruptions at supply chains linked to the invasion. They called on people to rally around solidarity efforts and express dissent against U.S. intervention.
Notably, the Open Society Foundations donated $250,000 to AFGJ back in 2020, with intentions to support movements for climate justice within Black communities. The AFGJ has since voiced strong opposition to Trump’s administration, stating, “The war against Venezuela is against all of us.”
Linking U.S. suppression tactics to those employed in Venezuela, AFGJ expressed concern about the deployment of the National Guard in U.S. cities as part of a broader crackdown on resistance. They articulated a connection between national and international struggles, claiming that marginalized groups are particularly targeted: “People of color, immigrants, and all those who resist have been designated domestic enemies.”
The statement from AFGJ pointedly addressed the unified strategy of military and social repression, drawing parallels between Caracas and cities like Memphis. “To the Pentagon we are all the same,” it claimed.
In the wake of this military operation, Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were charged with conspiracy linked to drug trafficking and faced serious accusations, including narcoterrorism and weapons offenses. They have both pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The situation has prompted significant social media discourse, but responses from the White House and AFGJ have yet to be received.
