Protests erupt worldwide against U.S. strikes on Venezuela, Maduro's abduction

(ECNS) -- Protests have erupted around the world after the Trump administration announced that the United States would "run" Venezuela following the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Demonstrators from cities including Madrid, Ankara, Santiago, to New York and Seattle condemned what they described as U.S. aggression and imperialism.

On Sunday, protests were reported in more than 100 cities across the United States, including Washington, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, and Miami. Protesters waved flags and held signs such as: "Defend Venezuela, Free Maduro!" or "No War on Venezuela!"

People gather in New York on Jan. 4, 2026, to protest the U.S. military attack on Venezuela and the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (Photo /Agencies)

At a rally in Seattle organized by anti-war coalition ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), demonstrators carried signs bearing statements such as "No Blood for Oil" and "Stop Bombing Venezuela Now!"

In a statement, the coalition warned that the attack would bring "death and destruction to the Venezuelan people," urging the public to say "no" to military intervention in Venezuela.

During a press conference on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would seize Venezuela's oil reserve.

A Venezuelan participant at the Seattle rally voiced outrage to the remarks, saying, "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 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," the participant added.

In Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, demonstrators waved red, blue and yellow Venezuelan flags. One placard even read: "Venezuela is no one's colony."