Venezuelans marched through the capital Caracas on Monday to denounce U.S. military threats in the Caribbean, calling for defending the country's sovereignty and peace.
The protest highlighted growing public anger over Washington's escalating pressure on Venezuela.
The demonstrators gathered in eastern Caracas before marching about 4.5 kilometers along the city's main thoroughfares to a United Nations office.
They chanted slogans such as "win peace, defend life, stop criminal threats," voicing firm opposition to external interference and affirming their determination to safeguard national sovereignty.
"I hope the U.S. stops interfering and leaves Venezuela in peace. Venezuela is a peace-loving country. What we want is peace," said a protester named Robert Guevara.
"Oil, gold, the U.S. wants all kinds of resources. But they will not get them. They will never be able to defeat us Venezuelans," another demonstrator named Yosmar Leon noted.
Also on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump called off efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement with Venezuela, reported The New York Times, citing U.S. officials.
The move paves the way for a potential military escalation against drug traffickers or the government of President Nicolas Maduro, said the report.
Tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. have been running high.
Since early September, Washington has deployed several warships to Caribbean waters near Venezuela, claiming to have destroyed multiple so-called "drug boats."
Maduro has accused the U.S. of seeking regime change in Venezuela and pursuing military expansion in Latin America under false pretenses.
Venezuelans rally against U.S. military threats in Caribbean
