A broad coalition of Italian political parties and social organizations has announced a major demonstration scheduled for January 10th in Rome, marching from Esquilino Square to the US Embassy. The protest represents a significant show of international solidarity with Venezuela’s government amid escalating tensions with the United States.
The organizing coalition includes an impressive array of groups spanning Italy’s political spectrum: the Power to the People party, Socialist Homeland party, Communist Network party, Cambiare Rotta youth organizations, Alternative Student Opposition (OSA), Historical Pact of Italy, and the Latin American Progressive Platform. They have been joined by additional social organizations including ARCI and CRED, the Palestinian Student Movement, and the La Villetta per Cuba Association.
Protest slogans center on three core demands: “Hands off the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela!”, “Stop US imperialism and Zionism!”, and “Freedom for Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores!” The movement’s foundation stems from what organizers characterize as “the latest and extremely serious escalation of hostilities” following military actions against Venezuela by the Trump administration.
In a proclamation read during preliminary rallies, organizers condemned “the expansion of war as a tool for resolving conflicts between States” and specifically denounced what they termed the “kidnapping” of Venezuela’s president. This weekend already witnessed significant demonstrations across Italy, with thousands of citizens participating in marches through major cities including Rome, Milan, Bologna, Naples, and Turin, as well as smaller municipalities such as Rimini, Cuneo, Salerno, Savona, Imperia, and Empoli.
The protests, which began on January 3rd, represent growing European concern over US foreign policy toward Venezuela and reflect deepening geopolitical divisions regarding appropriate international responses to the ongoing Venezuelan political crisis.