Hundreds protest in Amsterdam against US military action in Venezuela

Hundreds of protesters rallied in Amsterdam on Sunday, voicing strong opposition to the United States' military intervention in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The demonstration, organized by a coalition of activist groups, took place outside the US Consulate General, where participants condemned the operation as an illegal act of aggression and imperialism.

A Rally for Sovereignty and Against 'US Terrorism'

The protesters, waving Venezuelan flags and holding signs with messages like "Hands off Venezuela," "Stop US imperialism," and "No blood for oil," chanted slogans critical of US policy. Chants of "Yankee, go home" and "US terrorist" were directed at US President Donald Trump, who ordered the operation. A key speaker, Sjoerd de Groot, president of the Dutch Anti-Fascist Former Resistance Fighters Association (AFVN), framed the issue as a fundamental breach of international norms. "What the United States has done is a clear violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law," de Groot stated.

Calls for European Governments to Take a Stand

The protest was also aimed at European governments, including the Netherlands, for what demonstrators saw as an inadequate response. De Groot argued that the issue transcends Venezuela and touches on core global principles. "This is about international law, the right to self-determination and the principles of democracy. Every civilized country should oppose this," he said, urging European citizens to pressure their governments to clearly express solidarity with Caracas and reject the US intervention. A heavy police presence was deployed around the consulate to ensure security during the rally.

Context of a Controversial US Intervention and Global Reaction

The protest is part of an emerging international backlash against the dramatic US operation over the weekend. President Trump confirmed that the military action successfully captured Maduro and his wife, who now face drug trafficking charges in New York. Trump declared the US would "run" Venezuela to ensure a transition and repair its oil infrastructure. The move, which resulted in dozens of Venezuelan casualties according to officials in Caracas, has sparked a constitutional crisis and drawn criticism from US political opponents, international legal experts, and allied nations concerned about sovereignty and precedent. The Amsterdam rally reflects growing public dissent in Europe, mirroring official concerns from other global capitals, including Türkiye.