Some Ga., S.C. ralliers protest U.S. strike in Venezuela; others celebrate

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Demonstrators gathered in Charleston and Atlanta to show their fdeelings about the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Opponents of the U.S. action called for the first couple’s release.

In Charleston, demonstrators shared their opposition to any war with Venezuela and called for U.S. tax dollars to be spent on struggling American communities rather than military operations abroad.

Maduro says ‘I was captured’ as he pleads not guilty on drug trafficking charges

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro declares himself “innocent” and a “decent man” as he pleads not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. Maduro told a judge in New York on Monday, “I’m innocent. I am not guilty.

“People need to be really aware what’s happening on a local and national and international level because if our president can kidnap another president in a different country in the middle of the night, imagine what they can do to you,” said Shaquille Fontenot, co-founder of Low Country Action. “So I need people to wake up, get organized and be informed about what’s happening so that you can make a difference.”

Capture of Maduro divides a changed region, thrilling Trump’s allies and threatening his foes

The capture and ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro marked a stunning culmination of the Trump administration’s efforts to assert dominance in Latin America.

More than 100 people rallied on Saturday against the Trump administration’s action outside Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, with some expressing worry about potential regional unrest.

“War should always be an absolute last result,” said U.S. Army veteran Dustin Gannon. “This is a government making a decision that could plunge an entire region into war without any sort of approval from congress. There’s no representation occurring on our government right now.”

A handful of protesters also came out Monday in Aiken. On Whiskey Road, Women in Black, Moms Demand Action and Aiken Peace held a vigil.

Some Venezuelan Americans celebrate

While protests took place, some Venezuelan Americans celebrated the development.

Among them are Maria Carroz, owner of La Casa Latina in Augusta.

“We have been waiting for this moment for 26 years,” she said.

The feeling was the same for Fernando Salas, who left Venezuela nine years ago and runs Sabor Venezolano restaurant in Alpharetta.

Regional leaders react to U.S. strike on Venezuela, capture of Maduro

Georgia and South Carolina leaders and politicians from both sides of the aisle are speaking out after the U.S. carried out a major operation in Venezuela overnight, capturing President Nicolás Maduro.

“Eight hours without electricity and no food anywhere,” Salas said, describing conditions under Maduro’s leadership. “A lot of drugs, people killing everywhere. It’s very difficult for that.”

Salas’ wife wore a T-shirt displaying the captured Maduro to work on Saturday.

Kevin Grossarth, who lived in Venezuela for two years during a 2000 mission trip, also came to the restaurant to celebrate.

“I was screaming. I said ‘Viva Venezuela,’” Grossarth said. “I came to love the people of Venezuela, and it was hard to see many of them suffer over the last 20 years. To see the joy they experienced Saturday is just unbelievable.”

President Trump has said U.S. oil companies will rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and sell it to other countries.

Organizers of the Charleston protest said the gathering represents an important step for international solidarity and that such demonstrations are part of future change.