Protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in San José on Saturday afternoon to voice opposition to recent American military actions in Venezuela. The demonstration started at 2 p.m. in front of the Centro Comercial del Oeste on Calle 98 Vía 104 in Pavas, drawing a crowd that included Venezuelan expatriates and local supporters.
Participants chanted slogans condemning the U.S. intervention, including calls for American forces to leave Venezuela. The rally focused on showing support for the Venezuelan people amid reports of airstrikes and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. authorities earlier that day. Demonstrators held signs and flags, emphasizing their rejection of foreign involvement in Venezuelan affairs.
Local authorities monitored the event, which remained peaceful throughout. Police presence ensured traffic flowed around the area, and no incidents of violence occurred. Organizers described the protest as a stand against what they called an unjust escalation by the United States, pointing to broader regional tensions.
This action in San José reflects similar demonstrations across Latin America and beyond. In cities like Bogotá and Brasilia, groups rallied outside U.S. diplomatic sites with comparable messages. The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica had issued an alert ahead of the event, advising citizens to avoid the area due to potential crowds.
Venezuelan residents in Costa Rica, many of whom have sought refuge here in recent years, played a key role in the protest. One participant, a Venezuelan migrant who has lived in San José for five years, spoke about the personal impact. “We left our homes because of hardship, but this intervention only brings more suffering,” he said. Others echoed concerns over sovereignty and the risk of wider conflict.
The backdrop to the protest stems from U.S. operations that targeted Venezuelan military and government sites. Officials in Washington stated the moves addressed ongoing disputes, including allegations against Maduro’s administration. Venezuela’s government denounced the strikes as an attack, prompting international outcry from allies in the region.
Costa Rica’s government has not issued an official statement on the U.S. actions, maintaining its tradition of neutrality in foreign disputes. However, the protest highlights the country’s role as a hub for Venezuelan immigrants, with over 200,000 estimated to reside here. Community leaders have long advocated for peaceful resolutions to Venezuela’s challenges.
As the rally dispersed by late afternoon, protesters vowed to continue monitoring developments. They plan further gatherings if the situation in Venezuela escalates.
