Demonstrators have rallied outside the United States consulate in Edinburgh, voicing fierce opposition to the arrest and continued detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and calling for an immediate end to American military aggression.
Voices from the Protest on Regent Street
The protest, which took place on Saturday 10 January 2026 on Regent Street, was 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. Attendees directed their demands at US President Donald Trump, urging him to release the detained Venezuelan leader.
Linda Somerville, STUC deputy general secretary, addressed the crowd, stating the trade union movement's "absolute backing" for the people of Venezuela. She condemned what she termed the "military aggression and intervention" leading to the "kidnapping" of President Maduro and the First Lady. Somerville called on UK politicians, specifically the Prime Minister, to stand against the actions, which she said breached international law.
Calls for Scottish Government Action and Wider Condemnation
A central demand from the protesters was for the Scottish Government to suspend all cooperation with the US Government until the aggression ceases. Sophie Johnson, secretary of Stop the War Scotland, accused the Trump administration of "open act of military aggression and imperial domination." She criticised the UK Government for its "spineless collusion" and "meekly" bowing to US power.
Johnson warned that failure to confront the US now would lead to multiplying threats, citing Trump's ambitions beyond Venezuela, including remarks about Greenland. She pressed First Minister John Swinney to follow his acknowledgement of the illegality of the acts with concrete action, specifically by halting trade talks with the US.
Background: UK Involvement in Vessel Seizure
The protest follows revelations of UK logistical support for a US operation that resulted in the seizure of a Venezuelan-linked tanker, the Marinera (formerly the Bella-1), in the Atlantic. On Wednesday 7 January, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that an RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce assisted after a US request. US special operations aircraft also landed at Wick John O'Groats Airport in the Highlands as part of the mission, though Healey stressed no British personnel boarded the vessel.
First Minister Swinney clarified that the Scottish Government was not involved, calling it a "reserved" matter for Westminster. He expressed concern over not being fully informed about operations in or around Scottish waters, stating the importance of close dialogue on geopolitical issues affecting Scotland's security. He believed it was "unlikely" the Wick-based aircraft were used in the actual seizure, as their bookings were made in December.
A Scottish Government spokesperson reiterated that the government would "continue to protect and promote the interests of the people of Scotland at all times." Meanwhile, in the House of Commons, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reiterated the UK's stance that Venezuela's leadership must reflect the will of its people, calling for a democratic transition, release of political prisoners, and free elections.
