Protesters gathered Wednesday in front of the Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse in downtown Fresno to oppose U.S. military involvement in Venezuela, condemn the Trump administration\u2019s foreign policy, and warn of broader regional consequences.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a totally unprovoked action, and history shows the United States has pursued Venezuela\u2019s oil for decades.\u201d \u2014 Leni Villagomez Reeves, participant in\u00a0 Wednesday\u2019s protest\u00a0<\/p>\n
The demonstration was organized by Raza Against War, a Fresno-based community activism group, and featured speakers from several local peace and advocacy organizations. Among them:\u00a0 Peace Fresno, Community Alliance, Veterans for Peace Chapter 180, and the Women\u2019s International League for Peace and Freedom.<\/p>\n
Stan Santos, the coordinator for Raza Against War, said the protest was meant to draw attention to \u201cunprovoked military action\u201d by the United States and to challenge claims that U.S. intervention is justified.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a sad occasion,\u201d Santos said during a news conference outside the courthouse. \u201cIn my lifetime, I never thought we would see a repeat of the horrible trajectory of the United States launching military invasions of other countries and claiming, as President Trump said, \u2018That\u2019s our oil under their land.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n
Santos argued that U.S. interest in Venezuela dates back decades to the nationalization of the country\u2019s oil industry, which forced foreign oil companies to leave. He said claims that Venezuela\u2019s resources belong to the United States are \u201cfactually wrong and historically incorrect.\u201d<\/p>\n
The U.S. invaded Venezuela<\/a> with special forces and seized Nicholas Maduro, who had remained as president despite losing the 2024 election by a wide margin. The Trump administration said afterward that the goal was to hold Maduro to account for his alleged narco-terrorism and other crimes. In addition, President Trump said the U.S. was taking control of the Venezuelan oil industry and will share the profits with that country\u2019s residents.<\/p>\n Related Story: There Were Good Reasons to Depose Maduro, but What Is Next?<\/a><\/p>\n Organizer Criticizes Past US Involvement in Latin America<\/p>\n Santos also criticized past U.S. involvement in Latin America, referencing historical interventions in countries such as Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Cuba, and warned that military escalation could lead to significant civilian casualties and regional instability.<\/p>\n \u201cThe toll in human lives has already surpassed 200,\u201d Santos said, citing reports of civilian deaths in Venezuela. \u201cThis is only the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n Arion Grajeda, a student and a member of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztl\u00e1n (MECHA) chapters in Fresno and Reedley, said U.S. intervention in Venezuela follows a long history of colonialism and resource extraction in the Western Hemisphere.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is unfolding right now in Venezuela is an atrocity, but it should not come as a surprise,\u201d Grajeda said. \u201cFor over 500 years, our continents have been subjected to colonial occupation, extraction and intervention. This escalation follows the same historical pattern of undermining the self-determination of peoples who refuse to be exploited for the wealth of corporate elites.\u201d<\/p>\n Grajeda rejected the Trump administration\u2019s claims that U.S. actions were motivated by democracy or public safety, calling narratives around \u201cnarco-terrorism\u201d and legality \u201cfalse\u201d and \u201cdeeply racist.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAppeals to democracy are used very cynically,\u201d Grajeda said. \u201cThey serve as a cover for intervention rather than a genuine concern for the well-being or political freedom of Venezuelans.\u201d<\/p>\n Grajeda also linked opposition to U.S. foreign policy with broader student and community organizing efforts. He called on young people to engage in political education and collective action.<\/p>\n \u201cAs students and as Chicanos, we recognize our historical role in resisting empire,\u201d Grajeda said. \u201cThis moment demands more than symbolic opposition. It demands organizing.\u201d<\/p>\n He ended his remarks in Spanish, saying, \u201cLa lucha sigue!\u201d \u2014 translated to \u201cthe struggle continues.\u201d<\/p>\n