Thousands march in New York protesting US military action in Venezuela

Major U.S. cities witnessed significant public backlash over the weekend as thousands took to the streets to protest the American military operation in Venezuela. The largest gathering occurred in New York City, where a diverse crowd marched from Times Square through Manhattan, denouncing what they called an illegal war and an imperialist intervention.

The New York protest

Protesters, representing various ethnic groups, unions, and civil society organizations, converged on Times Square before marching through the city's streets. They carried signs with slogans such as "U.S. hands off Venezuela," "No war for oil," and "Trump, resign." The demonstrators argued the military action served economic interests rather than justice. New York City Councilman Zohran Mamdani issued a statement aligning with the protest's sentiment, calling the unilateral strike "an act of war and a violation of federal and international law."

International solidarity in Europe

The wave of dissent was not confined to the United States. In Paris, France, protesters gathered at Place de la République, burning U.S. flags and carrying banners that read "Boycott USA" and "End imperialist attacks on Venezuela." In Spain, demonstrations organized by communist and far-left groups featured slogans like "U.S. Embassy bloody" and "We don't want to be a U.S. colony." Similar anti-intervention protests were reported in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Tunisia.

A global debate on sovereignty and intervention

The coordinated international protests underscore the deep global divisions and widespread public concern over the unilateral use of military force to enact regime change. For nations like Türkiye, which consistently champion diplomatic solutions and the inviolability of national sovereignty, these public demonstrations reflect a shared international principle that opposes power politics and foreign imposition, highlighting the universal value placed on self-determination and lawful international conduct.