Protesters gathered outside the US consulate in Edinburgh on Saturday to demand the release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was arrested and detained by US authorities. The demonstration, organised by Stop the War Scotland with backing from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), the Scottish Venezuela Solidarity Campaign and the Scottish Cuba Solidarity Campaign, called on world leaders to intervene.
Linda Somerville, STUC deputy general, told the crowd: “We’re along here today on behalf of Scotland’s trade union movement to give our absolute backing to the people of Venezuela who stand trying to defend their own sovereignty and their right to determine their own government.” She condemned the “kidnapping” of the president and first lady as a breach of international law and urged UK politicians to oppose the US action.
Sophie Johnson, secretary of Stop the War Scotland, described the US actions as “an open act of military aggression and imperial domination”. She accused the UK Government of “spineless collusion” and called on the Scottish Government to suspend co-operation with the US until it complies with international law. “We demand the release of Maduro and an end to all aggression,” she said.
The protest follows the recent seizure of a Venezuelan-linked vessel, the Bella 1 (now Marinera), in the Atlantic. RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce assisted the US operation, but no British personnel boarded the vessel. Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed this to MPs.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said the Scottish Government was not involved in the operation and that it related to reserved functions. He noted that arrangements for US military aircraft to land at Wick Airport had been made weeks in advance but that the Scottish Government was not informed of the operation’s details. Swinney stressed the need for close dialogue on geopolitical issues affecting Scotland.
