Protesters gathered Wednesday in front of the Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse in downtown Fresno to oppose U.S. military involvement in Venezuela, condemn the Trump administration’s foreign policy, and warn of broader regional consequences.

The demonstration was organized by Raza Against War, a Fresno-based community activism group, and featured speakers from several local peace and advocacy organizations. Among them:  Peace Fresno, Community Alliance, Veterans for Peace Chapter 180, and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.

Stan Santos, the coordinator for Raza Against War, said the protest was meant to draw attention to “unprovoked military action” by the United States and to challenge claims that U.S. intervention is justified.

“This is a sad occasion,” Santos said during a news conference outside the courthouse. “In my lifetime, I never thought we would see a repeat of the horrible trajectory of the United States launching military invasions of other countries and claiming, as President Trump said, ‘That’s our oil under their land.’ ”

Santos argued that U.S. interest in Venezuela dates back decades to the nationalization of the country’s oil industry, which forced foreign oil companies to leave. He said claims that Venezuela’s resources belong to the United States are “factually wrong and historically incorrect.”

The U.S. invaded Venezuela with special forces and seized Nicholas Maduro, who had remained as president despite losing the 2024 election by a wide margin. The Trump administration said afterward that the goal was to hold Maduro to account for his alleged narco-terrorism and other crimes. In addition, President Trump said the U.S. was taking control of the Venezuelan oil industry and will share the profits with that country’s residents.

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Organizer Criticizes Past US Involvement in Latin America

Santos also criticized past U.S. involvement in Latin America, referencing historical interventions in countries such as Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Cuba, and warned that military escalation could lead to significant civilian casualties and regional instability.

“The toll in human lives has already surpassed 200,” Santos said, citing reports of civilian deaths in Venezuela. “This is only the beginning.”

Arion Grajeda, a student and a member of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (MECHA) chapters in Fresno and Reedley, said U.S. intervention in Venezuela follows a long history of colonialism and resource extraction in the Western Hemisphere.

“What is unfolding right now in Venezuela is an atrocity, but it should not come as a surprise,” Grajeda said. “For over 500 years, our continents have been subjected to colonial occupation, extraction and intervention. This escalation follows the same historical pattern of undermining the self-determination of peoples who refuse to be exploited for the wealth of corporate elites.”

Grajeda rejected the Trump administration’s claims that U.S. actions were motivated by democracy or public safety, calling narratives around “narco-terrorism” and legality “false” and “deeply racist.”

“Appeals to democracy are used very cynically,” Grajeda said. “They serve as a cover for intervention rather than a genuine concern for the well-being or political freedom of Venezuelans.”

Grajeda also linked opposition to U.S. foreign policy with broader student and community organizing efforts. He called on young people to engage in political education and collective action.

“As students and as Chicanos, we recognize our historical role in resisting empire,” Grajeda said. “This moment demands more than symbolic opposition. It demands organizing.”

He ended his remarks in Spanish, saying, “La lucha sigue!” — translated to “the struggle continues.”

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Speakers Echo Concerns

Other speakers echoed these concerns and foresaw similar consequences. Protester and co-founder of Fresno Resistance, Alfred Aldrete, said history is just repeating itself. 

“We were told the same thing. I’m old enough to say I can remember when the United States told us the same thing about Iraq, the war in Iraq, and the same thing about the war on Afghanistan.” Aldrete said. “It doesn’t seem that there’s really any interest here besides oil.” 

Leni Villagomez Reeves, a protester who addressed the crowd, said the demonstration was intended to push back against what she described as a pattern of U.S. military intervention tied to natural resources.

“This is a totally unprovoked action, and history shows the United States has pursued Venezuela’s oil for decades,” Reeves said. 

Camille Russell of Community Alliance urged members of the public to stay engaged beyond the protest and pointed to weekly demonstrations held by local peace groups. 

“There’s a very easy way to get involved,” Russell said. “Every Saturday from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Peace Fresno, People for Palestine, Raza Against War, and others gather to stand against what the U.S. government is doing, not just in Venezuela, but in many countries around the world.”

Russell also announced a planned global day of action for Saturday, Jan. 17, at Fresno’s Manchester Shopping Center.

Organizers said the protest drew a strong turnout despite short notice. No counter-protesters were present, though a few passing drivers shouted remarks as they drove by.

The protest concluded without incident.

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