New Yorkers against the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro protest outside of Metropolitan Detention Center

"Protesters opposed to the U.S. military strikes against Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he is being held, on Sunday, calling for his release and denouncing President Trump's actions as illegal. "What's stopping Trump from doing this to other countries?" Demonstrators barricaded a portion of the sidewalk across from where Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were being held on narcoterrorism charges since arriving in New York on Saturday night."

"The group criticized Mr. Trump and the military operation, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, saying it was motivated by Venezuela's oil reserves and control of the country, not by the drug charges Maduro has been wanted for since 2020. "If it really cares about prosecuting drug traffickers, then why did they release [former Honduras President] Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is convicted in the same court that they're trying Maduro now?" Alexandra said."

"Those who spoke out against Sunday's demonstration said they believe if Maduro had not been captured, change wouldn't have come for the Venezuelan people for a number of years. Esteban Chacin, who fled the South American nation nine years ago, and other Venezuelans said the life they left was unsustainable under Maduro's authoritarian rule and that the strikes and his capture, although audacious, were necessary."

Protesters gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to demand the release of Nicolás Maduro and to denounce U.S. military strikes and his capture as illegal. Demonstrators barricaded part of the sidewalk across from where Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were held on narcoterrorism charges after arriving in New York. ANSWER Coalition members framed the operation, called Operation Absolute Resolve, as driven by Venezuela's oil and control rather than genuine drug prosecution and questioned selective enforcement. Some Venezuelan expatriates in New York supported the strikes, citing prolonged corruption and authoritarian rule that made life unsustainable.

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