Protesters Gather in Townsend Park Demanding U.S. Withdrawal from Venezuela

On a brisk January afternoon, more than 150 demonstrators assembled in Townsend Park in Albany, voicing strong opposition to the United States' involvement in Venezuela.

The rally, organized by a coalition of local activist groups, aimed to denounce the recent arrest of deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and to demand their immediate release.

Peter LaVenia, co-chair of the Green Party of New York, addressed the crowd with fervor.

"Stop meddling in their politics. End the sanctions and let Venezuela be a free, independent country once again," he declared.

LaVenia emphasized that the apprehension of a sovereign nation's leader constitutes a violation of international law.

"The United States essentially conducted an act of aggression, according to the United Nations; both countries are a part of that charter. I mean, this is illegal, you cannot do this," he stated.

Despite these assertions, U.S. officials maintain that the operation was lawful.

The Justice Department has arrested two individuals facing criminal charges, and Maduro has appeared in a New York court, indicted on narco-terrorism charges.

Earlier this week, President Trump referred to the new Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez as a U.S. ally against other foreign countries.

"We don't wanna have China there. And by the way, we don't want Russia or China going to Greenland, which, if we don't take Greenland, you're gonna have Russia or China as your next-door neighbor. That's not gonna happen," he said.

Following Maduro's arrest, President Trump has expressed interest in taking over Greenland.

LaVenia criticized this decision, calling it alarming and a blatant disregard for foreign policy.

"The idea that nothing can stop him except his own morality—it’s against the constitution and it's against the treaties and the international law the United States helped construct over the last 50 years," he said.

LaVenia urged leaders in Washington to focus on domestic issues, such as the housing and affordability crisis.

Albany has a history of hosting demonstrations in Townsend Park addressing various international and domestic issues.

In September 2024, activists gathered to protest violence in Gaza and Lebanon, demanding that U.S. Representative Paul Tonko support an arms embargo against Israel.

More recently, in January 2026, around 200 people rallied in support of the Bakhtani family, Afghan immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

These events underscore the park's role as a focal point for civic engagement and advocacy in the Capital Region.

As the sun set over Albany, the protesters dispersed, their chants echoing through the streets.

Their message was clear: a call for the United States to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and to address pressing issues at home.