Protesters in Columbus, OH, joined more than 65 cities across the country to protest US intervention in Venezuela, expressing rejection of the “blood for oil” policy. Photo: X/@pslnational.
Thousands of people in the United States demonstrated on December 6 under the slogan “Stop the war before it starts!” to protest against President Donald Trump’s plans for military aggression against Venezuela.
The mobilization, organized by a broad coalition of progressive organizations, declared that the republican administration is repeating past mistakes by justifying a possible intervention with unfounded accusations about drug trafficking.
Among the first groups backing the protests are the ANSWER Coalition, People’s Forum, Black Alliance for Peace, CODEPINK, Palestinian Youth Movement, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Democratic Socialists of America, and Dissenters.
In a joint statement, organizers recalled that 22 years ago, the US launched the Iraq War based on lies and warned that the White House appears intent on replicating that strategy against Venezuela—with regional implications that would impact the entire Caribbean and South America.
Trump’s recent declarations—in which he claimed ground attacks would begin “very soon,” demanded the “closure” of Venezuelan airspace, and terminated diplomatic negotiations with Caracas—have intensified public opposition.
NOT A PENNY, NOT A DOLLAR –– WE WON’T PAY FOR WAR AND SLAUGHTER!
Right now outside the White House, DC residents are rallying against Trump’s threats to wage war on Venezuela. Our public funds should be used to meet people’s needs, not for death and destruction around the world! pic.twitter.com/YQm7T7qH3G
— Party for Socialism and Liberation (@pslnational) December 6, 2025
Adding to the outrage is a controversial order issued by Secretary Pete Hegseth—dubbed by protesters as the “Secretary of War Crimes”—instructing forces to “kill all survivors” of vessels disabled by missile strikes at sea. According to the ANSWER Coalition, this directive constitutes a clear war crime and a flagrant violation of international law.
The statement published by the US-based ANSWER website highlights that 70% of the American public opposes military intervention in Venezuela.
“People are seeing through the bizarre and twisted pretexts the Trump administration is providing about drug trafficking, for which he has provided no evidence,” the statement reads.
“Trump is unconstitutionally bypassing a Congressional declaration of war or even authorization of use of force, while Secretary of War Crimes Pete Hegseth is giving out appalling ‘kill them all’ orders and justifying illegal ‘double-tap’ strikes to target stranded survivors. The whole world sees all of this as transparently illegal, and is calling for peace,” the statement continues.
Organizers emphasized that 15,000 US troops have been deployed to encircle Venezuela, accompanied by massive naval assets, at a cost exceeding one billion dollars in US taxpayer money.
In response, ANSWER issued a nationwide call to action: “But it is not too late to act! We must stop this war before it starts. Rally across the nation this Saturday, December 6th, to send a message to Trump and Congress: ‘No War on Venezuela!’”
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Protesters also invoked the memories of the Vietnam and Iraq wars, recalling the false promises of “quick victories” that ultimately led to humanitarian and political catastrophes. “They were wrong,” they stressed, noting that a military invasion in the heart of Latin America would inevitably provoke massive resistance.
“We are at a critical moment. Members of Congress from both parties are increasingly speaking up about the illegality of these strikes. But the situation requires much more urgency—once the escalation ladder is climbed, there may be no going back,” warned the organizers.
Vasapollo condemned “coups, embargoes, unilateral sanctions, and economic measures that amount to genuine crimes against peace.”
As of December 6, demonstrations opposing US war threats against Venezuela are taking place across Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Colombia, and the Basque Country.
(Telesur)
