US stocks open lower Thursday

U.S. stock markets continued their rollercoaster ride on Thursday morning, dropping sharply again at the open following precipitous rises on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a pause on certain "reciprocal tariffs."

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened at 39,996.93 points, down 611.52 points, or 1.51 percent. The Standard and Poor's 500 Index opened at 5,353.15 points, down 103.75 points, or 1.90 percent. The Nasdaq Composite Index opened at 16,635.45 points, down 489.52 points, or 2.86 percent.

As of 09:30 Eastern Time (13:30 GMT), the Dow Jones Industrial Average had dropped 666 points, or 1.6 percent. The Standard and Poor's 500 Index fell 2.1 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 2.8 percent.

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.