WASHINGTON: Demonstrations were held outside the White House in Washington after President Donald Trump’s statement about keeping Venezuela under control and reports of a U.S. military operation in the country.
A large number of protesters gathered near the White House, chanting slogans and holding banners reading “No War Against Venezuela.” Similar protests were reported in New York City, where demonstrators staged a rally at Times Square and demanded the arrest of President Trump.
International protests were also reported. In Paris, left-wing activists condemned the alleged U.S. attacks on Venezuela and waved Venezuelan flags.
In Athens, Greece, thousands of people marched against the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Protests were also held in Italy against the U.S. operation in Venezuela, while demonstrations took place in Argentina and Colombia condemning the alleged American strikes.
Earlier, President Trump, speaking at a press conference in Florida, announced criminal charges against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He claimed that Maduro and his wife were being transferred to New York to face trial.
Trump said that, on his orders, the U.S. military carried out an “extraordinary operation” in the Venezuelan capital, describing it as a powerful display of American air, ground, and naval capabilities.
In a separate statement, President Trump said that the United States would run Venezuela until a transfer of power takes place, adding that U.S. oil companies would operate in the country.
