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3w ago

Pretoria Protest Condemns U.S. Seizure of Maduro and Demands His Release

South Africa casts the U.S. raid as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty requiring United Nations involvement.

People demonstrate outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
People hold placards as they demonstrate outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
People hold placards and banners as they demonstrate outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)
People demonstrate outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alfonso Nqunjana)

Overview

  • Dozens gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria on Thursday to oppose the intervention in Venezuela and call for Nicolás Maduro’s release.
  • The South African Communist Party led the demonstration, displaying signs such as “Hands Off Venezuela” and criticizing President Donald Trump’s actions.
  • SACP secretary-general Solly Mapaila told crowds the United States seeks control of Venezuela’s oil resources.
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the operation as undermining a UN member state’s territorial integrity and backed calls for UN action.
  • Pro-Palestine activists joined the protest in solidarity as strains in U.S.–South Africa relations persist, including past disputes over Trump’s “white genocide” claim.