Friday’s streets of Cape Town bore witness to fervent protests against America’s purported military assault on Venezuela earlier this month. Crowds decried the January 3 capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were allegedly flown to New York under duress, sparking demands for their swift release.
Centering on Adderley Street, the gathering swelled with demonstrators brandishing banners like ‘End US Imperialism Now’ and ‘US Hands Off Venezuela.’ Slogans of ‘Free Venezuela’ and ‘Free Maduro’ filled the air, as speakers urged attendance at the February 6 global action day supporting Palestinian and Venezuelan struggles.
Led by the South African BDS Coalition, the event framed the US action as imperialist overreach hurtling the planet toward war, crisis, and devastation. Their message resonated amid a chorus of international criticism.
Seventy-five-year-old Michael Tytus, a retired pharmacist, told media, ‘What the US did is flat-out illegal—it’s their pattern of empire-building and arbitrary power plays.’ He vowed ongoing resistance: ‘We need pressure to stop America scaring the world. Protests must continue to push them out.’
University activist Farik Thiba warned of wider dangers: ‘This defies international law. We don’t know who’s next—South Africa included. Venezuela feels like the opening salvo.’ He pinned hopes on Global South solidarity to stem the tide.
The Cape Town outcry reflects surging global discontent with the Venezuela incident, positioning South Africa at the forefront of anti-imperialist fervor. As calls for Maduro’s release intensify, February’s worldwide mobilization promises to amplify the message.