Protests Against U.S. Actions in Venezuela to Be Held in Riga 0 11

Participants of the event intend to condemn what they call the "imperialist aggression of the U.S. against Venezuela" and urge the Latvian government to apply international law equally to all, according to a statement released by the organizers. The organizers emphasize that they consistently condemn the systematic violations of human rights and the undermining of democracy by the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but believe that these crimes do not justify, in their opinion, the "gross violations of international law by NATO states, including military actions and detention without appropriate international mandate."

The protest is organized by the community center "Maiznīca" with informational support from the youth organizations "Protests" and "Jaunie Eiropas federālisti."

According to the Riga City Council, the announced action against what they phrase as the "U.S. invasion of Venezuela and the arrest of Nicolás Maduro" has been registered in accordance with the law, with approximately 100 participants expected, LETA reports.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by U.S. armed forces during a major military operation in Caracas on January 3 and taken to New York, where they were charged with federal offenses related to drug trafficking and other crimes, media reported. Both were arrested and appeared in federal court in Manhattan, where they both declared their innocence, calling the arrest illegal, while the U.S. administration justifies the actions as part of the fight against drug trafficking and security threats, international sources note.