Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday demanded that the United States cease its policy of intervention in the South American nation, as well as across Latin America and the Caribbean.
"From Venezuela, we ask and demand an end to the United States government's illegal and brutal interventionism [in Venezuela and in Latin America]," the president said as he addressed a demonstration in Caracas in defense of national sovereignty, on the 166th anniversary of the historic Battle of Santa Ines.
From Venezuela, the country demands: enough with regime change policies, coups d'etat, and invasions around the world, he said.
He also thanked U.S. citizens for protesting against a potential war with Venezuela, highlighting a growing and powerful movement of public opinion that rejects U.S. military hostility against his country.
The Venezuelans expressed their support for their country at this critical moment.
"[We are here for] continuing the struggle, unity, and respect for our sovereignty. We are a country that loves peace, but we are prepared for any moment, any contingency that the whole world may need us for," said Robinson Pérez, a Caracas resident.
"This country remains free and sovereign, and no empire can defeat us," said Shirley Rincon, another Caracas citizen.
For almost four months, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, much of it off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking -- a claim Venezuela has denounced as a thinly veiled attempt to bring about regime change in Caracas.
US should cease interfering in Latin America: Venezuelan President
US should cease interfering in Latin America: Venezuelan President
US should cease interfering in Latin America: Venezuelan President
A group of Japanese people took to the street in Tokyo on Thursday, demanding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to retract her erroneous remarks concerning China's Taiwan region and opposing her plan to expand the military.
At a Diet meeting on Nov 7, Takaichi claimed that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, which has immediately sparked strong criticism at home and abroad.
Some protesters gathering near the National Diet Building were holding placards against Takaichi regime's efforts to incite war and promote xenophobia, while others read "smash military buildup budget," as Takaichi's blatant interference into China's internal affairs seems to be part of her attempt to lift Japan's military restrictions using the so-called external threats as an excuse.
"The China-Japan Joint Statement has already confirmed the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Japan once invaded and occupied Taiwan for 50 years. Is Japan to repeat the disastrous policy? It's the Japanese people's responsibility to prevent that from happening," said a protester.
"Japan did invade China and killed many Chinese people in history. Instead of soul-searching, the Japanese government is seeking to do it again. This must not be allowed," said another protester.
In late November, the Japanese government approved a supplementary budget proposal for fiscal 2025 (April 2025-March 2026), boosting defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) ahead of schedule.
Japan's accelerated increase in defense spending and remilitarization attempts over the past few years have raised widespread concerns and opposition and reignited doubts about the country's future direction.
"The Constitution says armed forces 'will never be maintained,' yet Japan has self-defense forces now. This is self-contradictory. In nature it's no different from the situation before the end of the war," said another protester.
Japanese rally against PM, military buildup
