U.S. intervention in Venezuela draws global backlash, local concern

The U.S. military action in Venezuela is drawing international attention and sparking conversation right here in our area.

Here in Hamilton, the conflict in Venezuela is sparking real conversations among neighbours and even altering plans for some.

“I think it’s a bit scary that we’re in a time where you can just go somewhere and take someone to another place without any due process,” said Melanie Johnson, a Hamilton resident.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to order the military action to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores Saturday has fueled accusations of overreach.

Critics say it breaks norms around sovereignty and international law because there was no United Nations authorization.

“Maduro was trampling the human rights of his own people, there’s no doubt about that. But the UN Charter – the basis of the UN Charter is we don’t go around violating other people’s sovereignty, and we don’t invade people,” said Michael Nash, another local resident.

And for some in Hamilton, these international tensions hit close to home, not just on TV.

“Very likely moving to Colombia this year, so I’m very concerned about, you know, South America and what that means for the country,” said Donna Hiebert, a Hamilton resident.

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Colombia’s troop buildup along the Venezuelan border is meant to maintain stability and manage any potential refugee flows, given its long history of hosting Venezuelans fleeing hardship.

While Venezuelans abroad celebrate Maduro’s capture, protesters across the world condemned the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.

Yesterday and today, protesters hit the streets of Toronto to take a stand for international law and in solidarity with Venezuela.

“We stand unequivocally on the side of the people of Venezuela against this aggression from U.S. imperialism,” said a protestor.

Meanwhile, leaders from some Latin American countries say U.S. actions set a dangerous precedent for peace and regional security.

“I certainly hope there’s some leadership in the world that speaks to this for all of us,” said Hiebert.

Nearly all European Union leaders are one in saying “the will of the Venezuelan people” was the only way to restore the country’s democracy.

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