Protests erupted in Caracas, Venezuela on Sunday over the U.S. military action that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, with many voicing support for Maduro.
Demonstrators filled the streets to voice their outrage, showing a groundswell of support for the captured leader and demanding his immediate release.
"I am here because of the outrage I felt yesterday when I saw how they took away President Nicolas Maduro, the elected president of Venezuela, the constitutional president who represents our country, who represents the Venezuelan people. The White House is engaging in terrorism. And we cannot applaud it, we cannot allow it," said a protester.
"The Venezuelan youth are here today in the streets of Caracas, asking and demanding that the Trump administration reinstate President Nicolas Maduro and our First Lady Cilia Flores," said another protester.
"We are experiencing events we did not expect, something that has deeply affected us, the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro Moros and his wife. But also the murder of a significant number of men who were guarding him, who were vilely murdered in a military invasion," said yet another protester.
The U.S. carried out large-scale attack on Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning. The Venezuelan government said the strikes hit civilian and military sites in at least four states, including Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
Citing an anonymous senior Venezuelan official, The New York Times reported that at least 40 people were killed, including civilians and members of the armed forces.
Venezuelans protest against US military action, demand Maduro be reinstated
Leaders of seven European countries on Tuesday reaffirmed that Greenland "belongs to its people," stressing that issues concerning Denmark and Greenland must be decided solely by Denmark and Greenland, according to a joint statement.
The statement, released by Denmark's Prime Minister's Office, was signed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement said.
The leaders underscored that Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and is critical for international and transatlantic security. They noted that NATO has made clear the Arctic region is a priority and that European allies are increasing their presence there.
The statement noted that the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO, and said security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively with NATO allies, including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
Calling the United States an "essential partner," the leaders also referred to the 1951 defence agreement between Denmark and the United States.
The Prime Minister of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Tuesday that Greenland is open to dialogue and discussions with the U.S., but "they must take place through the proper channels and in respect of international law."
The PM also urged respect from the U.S. side, saying "Our country is not an object in great power rhetoric." Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who was appointed by President Donald Trump last month as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, said that Trump "supports an independent Greenland with economic ties and trade opportunities for the United States," Reuters reported.
Trump said in a telephone interview on Sunday with The Atlantic that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland. He also discussed the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.
Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal.
European leaders reaffirm Greenland sovereignty, stress Arctic security
