Regina residents hold rally, opposing U.S. military action in Venezuela

About 20 people gathered downtown Regina urging Canada not to support U.S. actions, calling them a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Supporters of the citizens of Venezuela met in downtown Regina, to condemn the attacks made against the South American nation.

Those in attendance called on the Government of Canada to not support the military moves made by the United States, arguing that they are a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.

“It’s important for all Canadians to call on their government to speak more forcefully against the aggression of the U.S., and to demand a return to rules-based respect for international law,” said Moravia de la O, a speaker at the event.

On Saturday, Jan. 3, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured and extracted during a raid by U.S. forces in the nation’s capital of Caracas. His wife was also taken during the incident.

The total causalities of the raid are not yet known. However, the Associated Press has reported that Cuba has confirmed that 32 of its military and law enforcement officers were killed during the raid.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

Maduro has since made a court appearance in New York on narco-terrorism charges.

In the wake of the raid, protests have popped up across Canada, including one outside the U.S. embassy in Ottawa.

Miguel Sanchez is a former political prisoner from Chile. He attended the demonstration and said he has concerns about America’s aggressive actions, as well as the future of people of Venezuela.

“They are going to be deprived of their sovereignty. Their decision-making power is not going to reside in Venezuela. This is a history we know, and what we overcame already,” he said.

Asnoldo Prieto was born in Venezuela and has been living in Saskatchewan since 2011. He said the extraction of the nation’s president is a profound moment.

“This has left us in a precarious state, but also good because it shook the foundations. No one thought the government could be taken or shook,” said Prieto.

Prieto said those from Venezuela know the realities of the nation, including harsh limits on the freedom of expression. Prieto added that he only has faint memories of is homeland being a somewhat normal place.

The incident has given him some thought he may return to Venezuela again one day.

“The flame that was existed before has been put out,” he told CTV News. “Now there is a little bit of a spark. Hopefully from this ember, a fire grows and gives us hope to go back.”

-With files from The Associated Press