Johannesburg, South Africa – Hundreds of demonstrators marched to the American consulate in Sandton on Saturday to protest US intervention in Venezuela and the capture of former president Nicolas Maduro.
Organized by Trade Unions and Communist Party
The protest was led by members of the South African Communist Party and several trade unions, including the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA).
“We delivered this memorandum following a lawful and very peaceful protest march to the United States consulate in Sandton,” said Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary.
“The purpose of this memorandum is to formally condemn the illegal US military invasion of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and demand the immediate release of President Nicolas Maduro and comrade Celia Flores.”
Calls for Solidarity with Venezuela
Mike Shingange, First Deputy of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), emphasized the need for solidarity with Venezuela:
“We are saying that the international rule of law, the human rights must be respected. We are saying that oil can be used to promote peace in the world, not war. That’s why we are here to pledge solidarity and say to the people of Venezuela, we are with them and we’re going to continue to do all we can up until they are liberated.”
ANC Joins the Chorus of Condemnation
President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) have also denounced US actions, calling for Maduro’s immediate release.
Nomvula Mokonyane, ANC First Deputy Secretary-General, addressed the demonstrators:
“On behalf of the African National Congress, 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.”
Strained US-South Africa Relations
Relations between Pretoria and Washington have been tense since President Donald Trump returned to power. Trump has accused South Africa of allowing a “genocide” against the country’s white community and boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg last November.
Earlier this month, protesters staged a similar demonstration outside the US Embassy in Pretoria, underscoring growing anti-US sentiment among South African political and labor groups.
Conclusion
Saturday’s march in Johannesburg highlights South Africa’s strong stance against US intervention in Venezuela and reflects broader tensions in US-South Africa relations. With trade unions, political parties, and civil society joining forces, the protests signal a deepening commitment to international solidarity and sovereignty in the face of global power struggles.
