Hundreds of protesters marched to the American consulate in Johannesburg on Saturday, demonstrating against US involvement in Venezuela and the detention of former president Nicolas Maduro. The rally was led by members of the South African Communist Party and several trade unions, who condemned the US actions as an infringement on Venezuela’s sovereignty.
According to Irvin Jim, General Secretary of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA), the protest was peaceful and lawful. In a statement, Jim said, “We delivered a memorandum to the United States consulate in Sandton, formally condemning the US military intervention in Venezuela and demanding the immediate release of President Maduro and comrade Celia Flores.” The memorandum emphasized the importance of respecting international law and human rights.
Mike Shingange, First Deputy of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, also addressed the crowd, stating that oil should be used to promote peace, not war. He expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and pledged continued support until they are liberated. The South African government, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress party, has also denounced US actions and called for Maduro’s release.
Nomvula Mokonyane, the ANC’s First Deputy Secretary-General, praised the unity of the protesters, saying, “We really want to salute workers under the leadership of NUMSA for uniting all of us under one banner of international solidarity, a stand against imperialist aggression, as well as the dictatorship of one man who wants to break the sovereignty of each and every nation.”
The demonstration is the latest development in the tense relations between South Africa and the US, which have been strained since President Trump’s return to power. Trump has accused the South African government of allowing a “genocide” against the country’s white community and boycotted the G20 meeting in Johannesburg in November. Earlier this month, protesters held a similar demonstration outside the US Embassy in Pretoria.
The protests highlight the strong opposition to US intervention in Venezuela and the importance of respecting international law and sovereignty. As the situation in Venezuela continues to unfold, it is likely that similar demonstrations will be held in the coming weeks, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The international community will be watching closely as events develop, with many leaders emphasizing the need for diplomacy and respect for human rights.
