In a significant development that has sparked international controversy, anti-war groups have organized protests following President Donald Trump’s military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Among the organizations coordinating these demonstrations is the Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ), a group that received funding from the Open Society Foundation, which was founded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

The military operation, which took place on Saturday, resulted in the apprehension of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Venezuela’s capital city of Caracas. Both were subsequently transported to New York City to face criminal charges in federal court.

In response to these events, a collective identifying itself as the “No War on Venezuela Coalition” has called for widespread protests at U.S. embassies, military installations, city halls, and other locations worldwide. The coalition’s stated purpose is to “defend Venezuelan sovereignty and right to resist.”

A flyer distributed by the AFGJ condemned what it described as “U.S. violent attacks on the rights of Venezuelans, and violations of Venezuela’s sovereignty.” The group has urged “mass resistance” against the administration’s actions, encouraging people to “take to the streets, organize rallies and teach-ins on university campuses, mobilize unions to demonstrate solidarity and shut down the supply chains of imperialism.”

According to public records on the Open Society Foundation’s website, the philanthropic network donated $250,000 to AFGJ in 2020. The stated purpose of this funding was “to catalyze Black communities into the global movement for climate justice.” The Open Society Foundation was founded by George Soros and is currently led by his son, Alex Soros.

AFGJ has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration. In a statement released Tuesday, the group framed the conflict as broader than just Venezuela, claiming “The War against Venezuela is against Us All.” The organization drew parallels between U.S. actions in Venezuela and domestic deployments of National Guard troops in major American cities.

“In his first press conference following the January 3 invasion, Trump specifically referenced Washington, DC, Memphis, and other US cities that have been occupied by federal troops. He knows full well that these are connected,” AFGJ stated. The group added that “People of color, immigrants, all those who resist are designated as internal enemies, and international solidarity movements are targets of the hybrid war.”

The U.S. military operation came after months of American military buildup in the Caribbean region. Maduro and his wife now face serious charges in U.S. federal court, including conspiracy to traffic large quantities of cocaine into the United States, narco-terrorism, and weapons offenses. Both have entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.

The situation highlights the complex interplay between U.S. foreign policy, international relations, and domestic political activism. Critics of the military action argue it violates Venezuelan sovereignty and international law, while supporters maintain it was necessary to address alleged criminal activities by the Maduro regime.

The protests organized by groups like AFGJ represent one aspect of the broader international response to the U.S. action. The involvement of an organization with ties to the Open Society Foundation has added another dimension to the political discourse surrounding the incident.

As events continue to unfold, the international community remains divided on the legitimacy of the U.S. operation and the appropriate response to Maduro’s capture. The situation continues to evolve, with potential implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations, regional stability in Latin America, and domestic political dynamics within the United States.