REGINA — Regina peace groups rallied Monday to protest the U.S capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
On Saturday, the U.S. carried out a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela to capture Maduro and bring him back to America on charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy.
Social activists in Regina raised concerns over the actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump at a rally held in front of city hall on Monday.
“This action violates all norms of international law and is a gross violation of Venezuelan sovereignty, and is flagrant state terrorism,” said peace activist David Gayle.
Several countries, like Russia and China, have stated that Trump broke international law with this move, including the United Nations Charter, which prohibits members from using force against other states unless in self-defence.
However, Trump himself invoked the Monroe Doctrine, a policy first introduced in 1823 by former President James Monroe.
It declared that Europe should stay away from further colonizing North and South America, while the U.S. promised not to meddle in European affairs.
The policy established the U.S. as a sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere.
In 1905, American President Theodore Roosevelt tied his corollary to the policy, stating the United States had justification in exercising "international police power" to end chronic unrest or wrongdoing in the Western Hemisphere.
Social activist Moravia de la O says the action taken by the U.S. isn’t something new in Latin America.
“They have a long history of intervening in the sovereignty and internal policies of Latin American countries for over 200 years, often through armed force, more recently through economic and political pressure.”
De la O viewed the action by America as a way to access Venezuela’s oil. The country itself has the largest oil reserves in the world.
Trump has stated the U.S. will run Venezuela until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" can be ensured.
“Their goal is to effect regime change and install a puppet regime, if they can't get the current government to bend to their will,” said Gayle.
Gayle. also said the U.S. wants to prevent Venezuela’s oil from driving a regime.
Advocates at the rally believed the people of Venezuela should decide who runs the country, not America.
They also called on people to contact their members of parliament to voice their concerns to the Canadian government.
