JOHANNESBURG

South Africans on Thursday protested outside the US Embassy in Pretoria, condemning the recent US military attack on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

“We are here to send a very clear message that the way in which the US is behaving in this lawless and gangster-like way is unacceptable and that South Africa will not tolerate it,” Muhammed Desai of the South Africa Latin America Association told Anadolu.

Desai said he supports the South African government's position in condemning the US incursion into Venezuela. “We are calling for the immediate release of President Nicholas Maduro,” he said.

The demonstration organized by a broad coalition of South African trade unions, political formations, student movements and civil society groups drew a large crowd outside the US embassy.

Solly Mapaila, secretary general of the South African Communist Party (SACP), condemned what he said was the US’ interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela and called for the unconditional release of Maduro and his wife.

“Free President Nicholas Maduro, Free Cilia Flores, Down with imperialism down, long live Venezuela,” he chanted alongside protesters dressed in red T-shirts.

Mapaila claimed that the US was interested in the oil resources of Venezuela and had made up false charges against Maduro because he did not give in to their demands.

He expressed his solidarity with the people and government of Venezuela and Cuba, saying South Africa stands with them.

“We stand here today to declare our very public support for the people of Venezuela, Cuba, Iran and any peace-loving people threatened by the 'fascist' regime that sits in Washington,” Student leader Tariq Lala told demonstrators in a solidarity speech.

“Comrades, we are children of the people who looked apartheid in the eyes,” he said.

Protesters carried placards reading “End American Imperialism,” “Hands off Venezuela,” and “Free Maduro,” among others.

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a military operation against Venezuela resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife Flores, and pledged to assert American control over the country.

Maduro and his wife appeared in a US court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to narcotics charges. They were remanded until March 17.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday said he “utterly” rejects the US action, which “undermined the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a UN member state.”

Ramaphosa demanded the release of Maduro and his wife, reiterating South Africa’s call for the UN Security Council to take “decisive action” to uphold its mandate and advance peace and security.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday urged the international community to “respect the independence and territorial integrity” of Venezuela in the wake of the US military intervention.