Venezuelans demand release of Maduro and mourn those killed in US coup as death toll rises

Caracas, Venezuela - Thousands of people marched in Venezuela Wednesday to demand the release of Nicolas Maduro, toppled and abducted in a violent US coup, while an official video showed grieving relatives mourning those killed in the attack.

Thousands of people marched in Caracas on Wednesday to demand the release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and mourn those killed in the violent US coup.
Thousands of people marched in Caracas on Wednesday to demand the release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and mourn those killed in the violent US coup.  © Collage: REUTERS

Demonstrations have taken place daily since January 3, when US forces kidnapped Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a bombing raid on Caracas and took them to face trial on drug charges in New York.

"Nico, hold on, the people are rising!" protesters chanted, in the sun and rain during their trek through downtown Caracas.

"Trump, give us back Nico!"

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"Our president is innocent, our president is a working man, a man of the people," said Nancy Ramos, a 58-year-old community leader dressed in military fatigues and a red beret, her eyes brimming with tears as she spoke to AFP.

"We do not agree with their taking him away like that and planning to try him in another country, because his country is Venezuela," she added, clutching two figurines of Maduro and Flores.

Marchers mourned some 100 people, including civilians, who authorities say were killed in the raids, and they voiced fears of further attacks.

"The imperialists showed up with bombs. They killed soldiers and civilians," said Tania Rodriguez, a 57-year-old retiree.

She said she marched "with pain, even with fear, but we go on with honor. We go on with courage."

US forces killed Maduro's security detail "in cold blood"

Some 100 people, including civilians, were killed in Saturday morning's US attack on Caracas.
Some 100 people, including civilians, were killed in Saturday morning's US attack on Caracas.  © REUTERS

The opposition has kept a low profile in Venezuela since Maduro's capture, with an emergency decree outlawing public praise for the US action.

The Venezuelan military on Wednesday released videos of funerals for soldiers killed in the US operation, with dozens of grieving relatives and coffins draped in Venezuelan flags.

Bouquets and wreaths, along with photographs of the dead, adorned the caskets, escorted by uniformed troops in formation.

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Interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Tuesday declared seven days of mourning for the victims.

"The images of the bodies pierced my soul, but I know they were martyred for the good of this republic," Rodriguez said.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez accused the United States of killing Maduro's security detail – which included dozens of Cubans – "in cold blood."

US President Donald Trump's administration has since claimed total control of Venezuela, saying it would "run" the country for the foreseeable future.

Cover photo: Collage: REUTERS

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