PARIS — On Sunday, January 10, 2026, hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Bastille Square in the French capital to protest the United States' dramatic military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The rally, organized following calls from various left-wing political parties and activist groups, condemned the action as "imperialist aggression" and demanded respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.
Protesters waved banners emblazoned with messages such as "Stop imperialist aggression, yes to the sovereignty of peoples" and "Free Maduro." Chants of “Trump out, Venezuela does not belong to you” echoed through the square as participants expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Demonstrators also called for the immediate withdrawal of US forces from the Caribbean region, the lifting of longstanding sanctions on Venezuela, and the right of Venezuelans to determine their own political future without foreign interference. Pro-Palestinian supporters joined the march, linking the protest to broader criticisms of US foreign policy.
The demonstration reflects growing international backlash against the US-led Operation Absolute Resolve, which unfolded in the early hours of January 3, 2026. US special forces, including elite Delta Force units, conducted a nighttime raid in Caracas, targeting Maduro's location amid airstrikes on military installations. The operation, authorized by US President Donald Trump, was justified as a law-enforcement action to apprehend individuals indicted on federal charges related to narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, weapons possession, and corruption—allegations stemming from long-standing US indictments against Maduro and associates.
According to official US statements, the mission involved over 200 special operations personnel, more than 150 military aircraft, and precise strikes that avoided widespread destruction while achieving the primary objective: the capture of Maduro and Flores. No US personnel were killed, though seven were reported injured, with five recovering shortly after. Venezuelan authorities claimed over 100 deaths, including civilians and Cuban security personnel, during the raid, though US sources described the action as surgically targeted with minimal collateral damage.
Following the capture, Maduro and Flores were transported to a US warship in the Caribbean before being flown to New York. On January 5, 2026, Maduro appeared in a federal court in Manhattan, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He asserted his innocence and claimed to remain the legitimate president of Venezuela. The court appearance drew mixed reactions outside the courthouse, with some Venezuelan expatriates celebrating and others protesting the US intervention as a violation of international law.
President Trump, addressing the nation from Mar-a-Lago on January 3, announced the success of the operation and declared that the United States would "run" Venezuela temporarily "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." He emphasized rebuilding Venezuelan oil infrastructure, reclaiming US business interests, and addressing issues like drug trafficking and immigration. The statement has sparked debates over the legality of the action, with critics arguing it constitutes an extrajudicial abduction of a sitting head of state and sets a dangerous precedent for international relations.
In Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president by the National Assembly, with the Venezuelan Supreme Court describing the US action as a "kidnapping." The interim government has released some political prisoners in a gesture toward de-escalation while maintaining defiance against US demands. Exploratory talks to restore diplomatic ties with Washington have begun, though tensions remain high.
The Paris protest is part of a broader wave of global demonstrations against the US operation, with similar rallies reported in cities across Europe, Latin America, and beyond. Left-wing figures, including French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, have denounced the raid as "pure imperialism." International organizations and legal experts have questioned the justification under international law, noting the absence of UN Security Council approval or extradition proceedings.
The event underscores deep divisions over US foreign policy in Latin America, particularly regarding Venezuela's long-standing political and economic crisis. As Maduro remains in US custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting trial, the future of Venezuela—now under interim leadership amid US oversight—remains uncertain, with implications for regional stability, oil markets, and global norms on sovereignty.
