Protestors in Vancouver condemn capture of Venezuelan President

Dozens of protesters have gathered outside the U.S. consulate in downtown Vancouver, calling on the U.S. to end its war on Venezuela and to repatriate Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores.

“We want Maduro free, that’s the first thing we want, and we want Venezuelans to be allowed to decide what they want to do with their own country,” said one protester.

Demonstrators with the Canada-wide Peace and Justice Network say the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s rightful president violates international law and threatens the country’s sovereignty.

“This is a hugely dangerous situation both for the United States and other countries that the U.S. has been threatening and has openly said that they are preparing to attack, said Janine Solanky, committee member of the Canada-wide Peace and Justice Network.

“Everyone in the world’s peace-loving people on the streets, people in government need to be taking this violation of international law very seriously.”

Reactions to Maduro’s arrest have been mixed among Venezuelans and abroad.

While some have taken to the streets to celebrate, others are hopeful that this could bring long-awaited change.

“The Venezuelans were aware of the suffering that our people have endured for a long time, the humanitarian crisis,” said Meriely Arias, director at large of the Venezuelan Canadian Society of BC.

“To say that they need to go back and figure out how to fix a problem themselves, we as a country have tried many times.”

Meanwhile, those wanting to bring Maduro home believe it’s their democratic right.

“And it’s understandable that what you see being promoted or distributed anywhere is those people celebrating. But I can tell you that they are a minority,” said the same protester.

Protesters are also calling on the Carney government to step in and condemn the U.S. actions in Vancouver.