‘Hands off Venezuela’: Demonstrators rally in Toronto following U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro

Protesters drum and chant downtown, condemning U.S. strikes on Venezuela and warning Canada could be next in a fight over resources.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Consulate in downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon, condemning a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

The Toronto protest, which began at around 3 p.m., unfolded hours after the United States seized Maduro and his wife, announcing plans to prosecute them in New York, while also declaring it would run Venezuela during a transitional period.

It should be noted that the intervention — which U.S. President Donald Trump framed as a warning to adversaries - has sparked mixed global reactions, with many celebrating Maduro’s capture and others condemning the move as an illegal act of regime change driven by oil interests.

‘He wants Venezuelan oil,’ Torontonian says

The demonstration continued for more than two hours in the freezing cold, with protesters chanting “Hands off Venezuela” and accusing the United States of violating international law.

“This is an atrocious thing that the United States has done,” one demonstrator told CP24.

“Venezuela is a country that has never done anything to the United States of America or to Canada, and yet it was brutally attacked early this morning at two o’clock and its president (was) kidnapped along with his wife.”

The same protester accused the U.S. administration of acting out of self-interest.

“He wants Venezuelan oil,” the demonstrator said.

Claims of regime change and Canadian complicity

Several protesters also criticized Canada’s response, arguing Ottawa is complicit through its long-standing sanctions against Venezuela.

“I’m horrified that the U.S. administration is violating Venezuelan sovereignty, and the Canadian government is complicit,” another demonstrator said. “They’ve been complicit in the sanctions against Venezuela. The statement from Anita Anand today was very vague.”

For her part, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand issued a statement today suggesting the government does not recognize “any legitimacy of the Maduro regime” and called on “all parties” to respect international law.

• Canada’s foreign minister responds to U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro

“Canada’s complicit in this very clear power grab, this regime change,” the demonstrator added. “We have to say that we’re not down for this.”

In March of 2025, Canada imposed sanctions against eight Venezuelan officials, alleging involvement in activities supporting human rights violations and undermining democracy.

Where is Maduro now?

Shortly after 5 p.m., helicopter footage began circulating on social media showing Maduro exiting a plane on U.S. soil.

It’s unclear how long the Venezuelan president will remain in New York but a series of judicial proceedings are expected to follow.

A divided response

As the Toronto rally continued into the early evening, demonstrators urged peace and denounced the U.S. intervention.

While some around the world are celebrating Maduro’s capture, protesters in Toronto said the events unfolding in Venezuela mark a dangerous escalation — one they fear could reshape international norms especially in light of Trump’s previous claims to make Canada the 51st state.