Thursday, January 08, 2026

‘Out with the Yanks!’: Thousands Protest in Colombia as Anger Builds over Trump’s Intervention in Venezuela

THE GUARDIAN: President Gustavo Petro called for demonstrations after Trump said he was interested in military action in Colombia

Screenshot taken from this article. | Supporters of Colombian President Gustavo Petro attend a rally to protest comments made by Donald Trump, in Bogotá, Colombia. Photograph: Santiago Saldarriaga/AP

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of cities across Colombia to decry Donald Trump’s threats to expand his military campaign in South America into their territory, after last weekend’s deadly attack on Venezuela.

In Cúcuta, a city on Colombia’s eastern border with Venezuela, several hundred demonstrators marched towards its 19th century cathedral waving the country’s yellow, blue and red flag and shouting: “Fuera los yanquis!” (“Out with the Yanks!”)

“Trump is the devil … he’s the most abhorrent person in the world,” said one demonstrator, a 55-year-old businesswoman called Janet Chacón.

Another marcher, José Silva, 67, said the abduction of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, during Saturday’s attack made a mockery of Trump’s claim to be “the president of peace”.

“He’s the president of war … he’s a maniac,” Silva declared. “The US congress needs to do something to get him out of the presidency … He’s a thug.” » | Tom Phillips in Cúcuta | Thursday, January 8, 2026