ROCHESTER, N.Y. — More than 100 people gathered outside the Federal Building on State Street to protest President Donald Trump’s military actions in Venezuela.
READ MORE: The Latest: Trump says US will run Venezuela at least temporarily after military option
Protesters voiced their frustration over what they see as an unauthorized takeover of another country by President Trump. They say they would rather see the money that funded this go back towards Americans.
The protest, which took place around 2 p.m., filled the sidewalk with people opposing the recent military actions in the South American country. Some protesters argued that the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro violated international law.
“I’m not saying Maduro is a good person. He is a criminal himself. But it’s not for the United States to unilaterally, unilaterally go in and just take over the country,” said protester Michael Fischer. “Now, President Trump said today that we’re going to run Venezuela. I think that’s news for the Venezuelans. I think we could support a democratic election there.”
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were transported to the U.S. on a warship and got to New York Saturday evening to face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges.
READ MORE: How the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
Trump announced plans to sell seized Venezuelan oil assets. He stated that the proceeds would be distributed to the Venezuelan people and used to reimburse the U.S. for damages caused by Venezuela.
READ MORE: US plans to ‘run’ Venezuela and tap its oil reserves, Trump says, after operation to oust Maduro
Many local and state leaders have taken to social media and shared their thoughts, including Rep. Claudia Tenney, Rep. Joe Morelle, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
READ MORE: Local and state leaders react to U.S. strikes on Venezuela and capture of Maduro and wife
According to News10NBC’s affiliate in South Florida, Venezuelans in Doral have been filling the streets and celebrating Maduro’s capture.
“I have no words. I don’t know how to explain it,” one man told our affiliate.
NBC says the crowds in Doral were chanting “The government is over, the government has fallen,” amid the blasting car horns and music,” in Spanish throughout the morning.
“Thank you, Lord, thank you president of the United States. I’ve been waiting for years — he’s done so much damage. This has been horrible,” Yajaira, a Venezuelan American from the city of Maracaibo, told NBC.
This is a developing story. For the latest updates, click here. See more photos from the protest in Rochester below:
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