Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets to demand the release of the captured President, Nicolas Maduro, who was captured along with his wife by the United States following a large-scale military operation in the country.
A group of pro-Maduro paramilitaries and bikers also joined the demonstrations, bearing Venezuelan flags. One of the placards held by a protester during the protests read, "Free our President," while another read, “Venezuela is no one's colony”.
The protesters criticised President Donald Trump for announcing that the US would run the country until a transition is complete. On Monday, Maduro is scheduled to appear in a court in New York to face charges of "narcoterrorism" tied to alleged cocaine trafficking into the United States.
One of the protesters said, “The real narco-terrorist is Trump, not Maduro,” adding that US forces committed crimes against humanity in the Caribbean Sea. According to sources, dozens of people were killed or injured in the pre-dawn military strikes inside Venezuela as US forces neutralised the country’s air defence by targeting military installations.
Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said a "large part" of Maduro's security team was killed "in cold blood", as well as military personnel and civilians, but gave no figures. However, healthcare professionals estimate that more than 70 people were killed and 90 others suffered injuries during the assault.
Meanwhile, many protesters claimed that Maduro had been betrayed by a member of his inner circle, which made his arrest far easier for the US forces. Supporters of ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro say they suspect he was betrayed by a member of his inner circle. "Traitors handed over Nicolás Maduro because with the kind of security he had, this should never have happened," one supporter said.
Venezuela's oil industry ailing
US President Donald Trump's plan to take control of Venezuela's oil industry and ask American companies to revitalise it after capturing President Nicolas Maduro in a raid isn't likely to have a significant immediate impact on oil prices. Venezuela's oil industry is in disrepair after years of neglect and international sanctions, so it could take years and major investments before production can increase dramatically. But some analysts are optimistic that Venezuela could double or triple its current output of about 1.1 million barrels of oil a day to return to historic levels fairly quickly.
“While many are reporting Venezuela's oil infrastructure was unharmed by US military actions, it has been decaying for many and will take time to rebuild,” said Patrick De Haan, who is the lead petroleum analyst at gasoline price tracker GasBuddy. American oil companies will want a stable regime in the country before they are willing to invest heavily.
Also read: How US captured Maduro and plans to run Venezuela, tap oil?
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