Citizens across Venezuela took to the streets this Tuesday to demand the release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, two months after their kidnapping on January 3 by U.S. commandos. That morning, U.S. military forces invaded the South American nation and carried out multiple bombings, killing more than 100 people and wounding a similar number.
During the march in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas Mayor Nahum Fernández stated that the people are marching for the agenda of peace and stability in Venezuela: “We are a fully sovereign country, and we must continue to maintain our sovereignty. Today, from Zulia to Caracas, we have seen a great demonstration of support.”
For her part, María Mercedes Martínez, a resident of the capital and participant in the march, said: “We, the artists, the poets, and the general public, have gathered to demand the return of the president and his wife, our First Lady, Cilia Flores.” Here we are today, not only we Venezuelans but also several delegations from other countries who are resisting just like us.”
With this mobilization, the citizens reaffirmed that working together, diplomacy, and political dialogue are the paths to achieving the release of the presidential couple.
“We demand, not through force but through the dignity of those of us who know we are right, and with that strength we will beat our drums again. Venezuelan identity is that: it is unity, it is peace, it is love, it is collective construction. Nicolás, Cilia, here is your people, here is your community, here is the working class,” emphasized a protester interviewed by teleSUR.
Photo: PSUV
Internationalist activists, such as members of the International Brigade of Argentina, attended the march and emphasized: “I think this point about dignity is part of what we have seen in the International Youth Solidarity Brigade with Venezuela as part of all the actions being carried out by the Venezuelan people, not only to resist but also to resist with joy, resisting while never ceasing to demand the release of the president and the first lady.”
Photo: Ricardo Malik / teleSUR
On January 3, US military forces bombed Caracas and several areas of Venezuela, leaving more than 100 people dead, in addition to kidnapping President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, flagrantly violating national sovereignty.
Following the attack, the presidential couple was illegally transferred to the United States, where they remain imprisoned in a maximum-security facility. Before a New York court, the president declared: “I am the president of Venezuela, and I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was captured in my home in Caracas.”
President Maduro’s courage, as described by Venezuelans, has fueled national resistance. The mobilizations are transforming indignation into collective strength, protesters affirm. The slogans in the capital reaffirm their commitment to peace and freedom, emphasizing that a nation’s sovereign identity cannot be imprisoned.
Photo: PSUV
The sense of justice has transcended Venezuelan borders. Globally, protesters in multiple countries, including the United States, are demanding the return of Maduro and Cilia Flores to Venezuela.
Under slogans such as “Hands off Venezuela!” Chanting “Colonialism, Fascism NO!”, the protesters denounced the flagrant violation of sovereignty and human rights perpetrated by the United States. This global front calls for respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of nations.
IMAGE CREDIT: “Today, from Zulia to Caracas, we have seen a great demonstration of support,” Nahum Fernández emphasized. Photo: Ricardo Malik / teleSUR
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
