Supporters of Venezuela’s pro-poor Bolivarian Revolution rallied outside the United States Consulate in Martin Place, in Sydney’s CBD, on January 23 to demand no US intervention in Venezuela.
They also called for an end to the unfolding right-wing coup attempt against the South American nation’s president, Nicolas Maduro.
US President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence have declared that the US no longer recognises Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate head of state.
Instead, the White House is endorsing virtually unknown far-right National Assembly leader Juan Guaido as the head of an “interim government”.
Several right-wing governments in Latin America and Canada have done the same.
Maduro was officially sworn in as president on January 10 after winning elections last May.
Maduro has responded to the White House statements by breaking diplomatic relations between the two countries and expelling US diplomats currently in Venezuela.
However, the US Department of State has said it will not comply with Maduro’s announcement and that it will “take appropriate actions to hold accountable anyone who endangers the safety and security of our mission and its personnel.”
Speakers at the Sydney rally denounced the escalating US intervention in Venezuela, branding it as just the latest example of its longstanding history of promoting coups and right-wing governments in the region.
They also outlined the gains of the Bolivarian Revolution for the people of Venezuela, despite the recent economic and political problems the country has faced.
Similar protests were also held in Canberra, Melbourne and Perth.