Thousands of government loyalists marched through downtown Caracas on January 8, 2026, demanding the release and return of ousted President Nicolás Maduro, captured by U.S. forces during a January 3 raid. Chanting slogans such as "Trump, give us back Nico!" and "Nico, hold on, the people are rising!" protesters braved sun and rain on a three-kilometer route, expressing unwavering support for Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Demonstrators, many dressed in red berets and military fatigues, carried figurines of the couple and voiced outrage over what they described as an unlawful abduction and impending trial in New York on drug-related charges.

The protests, held daily since the U.S. operation codenamed "Absolute Resolve," reflect deep divisions in Venezuelan society following Maduro's removal. Participants mourned the casualties from the attack, which official figures from Venezuela and Cuba place at at least one civilian and 55 soldiers—Venezuelan security personnel and Cuban military advisors—killed during the bombing and commando assault on Maduro's residence. "The imperialists showed up with bombs. They killed soldiers and civilians," said retiree Tania Rodriguez, who marched despite her grief and fear. Protesters condemned the raid as an act of foreign aggression, insisting that Maduro, described as a "working man" and "man of the people," should be tried only in Venezuela.

Official events amplified the sense of national mourning. The Venezuelan military released videos of funerals for fallen soldiers, showing coffins draped in national flags, escorted by uniformed troops, and adorned with bouquets, wreaths, and photographs of the deceased. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who declared seven days of mourning on January 7, spoke emotionally of the victims as "martyred for the good of this republic." Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López accused U.S. forces of executing Maduro's security detail "in cold blood," reinforcing the government's narrative of imperialist brutality.

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The opposition has maintained a low profile since Maduro's capture, operating under an emergency decree that prohibits public praise of the U.S. action. Meanwhile, Maduro and Flores appeared in a New York court on January 5, pleading not guilty to narcoterrorism charges related to the so-called "Cartel of the Suns." The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, has defended the operation as a targeted enforcement of long-standing indictments, with no American casualties reported.

As demonstrations continue and funerals proceed, Caracas remains tense amid the power transition. Interim authorities under Rodríguez have signaled a cautious openness to dialogue on economic issues, including oil, while hardline Chavistas rally supporters through street action. The ongoing crisis highlights Venezuela's polarized political landscape, with loyalists framing Maduro's ouster as a foreign violation of sovereignty and raising concerns about potential further instability in the country.

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