Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets on Wednesday, demanding the release and return of former president Nicolas Maduro following his capture during a US military operation, as authorities held funerals for those killed in the attack.
Supporters of the government have staged daily protests since January 3, when US forces carried out an air raid on Caracas, capturing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transporting them to the United States to face drug-related charges in New York.
During a three-kilometre march through central Caracas, protesters chanted slogans such as “Nico, hold on, the people are rising!” and “Trump, give us back Nico!” despite harsh weather conditions.
“Our president is innocent. He is a working man, a man of the people,” said Nancy Ramos, a 58-year-old community leader wearing military-style clothing and a red beret. Fighting back tears, she condemned Maduro’s arrest abroad, insisting he should be judged in Venezuela. She clutched small figurines of Maduro and Flores as she spoke.
Demonstrators also mourned those killed in the US raids and expressed fears of further military action. Authorities say dozens of people, including civilians and soldiers, lost their lives.
“The imperialists came with bombs. They killed soldiers and civilians,” said Tania Rodriguez, a 57-year-old retiree, who described marching despite fear and grief.
Since Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s opposition has remained largely silent, following the introduction of an emergency decree banning public support for the US operation.
On Wednesday, the Venezuelan military released footage from funeral ceremonies for soldiers killed in the attack. The videos showed grieving relatives, flag-draped coffins, floral wreaths, and uniformed troops standing in formation.
Official figures from Venezuela and Cuba indicate that at least one civilian and 55 Venezuelan and Cuban soldiers were killed in the January 3 assault. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a seven-day national mourning period.
“The images of the bodies pierced my soul, but I know they were martyred for the good of this republic,” Rodriguez said.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez accused the United States of killing members of Maduro’s security detail “in cold blood.”
