An activist was arrested by police in Sydney on Sunday evening after staging a counter-protest at a rally opposing United States military intervention in Venezuela.
Clash at Town Hall
Drew Pavlou was taken into custody for approximately 40 minutes during the 'Hands off Venezuela' demonstration, which was promoted by socialist groups Red Spark and Green Left. The event, held on January 4, 2026, saw a moderate turnout of a few dozen people.
Pavlou, who was counter-protesting, shared a picture to social media of himself holding a placard that read, 'cry more commie scum'. He alleges that during his brief arrest, riot squad officers injured his arm. "They came pretty close to breaking my arm," Pavlou claimed, stating he was put in a stress position. He later visited an emergency department but left due to a long wait for a consultation.
Heavy Police Presence for Small Gathering
Despite the small size of the protest, there was a significant police turnout, including riot officers. New South Wales Police had previously stated the assembly was not authorised, warning the public that it was not legally protected. A police spokesperson had indicated a large presence would monitor the potential assembly in the Sydney metropolitan area.
The rally was one of several held in Australia to protest against US President Donald Trump's deployment of military teams, which activists claim aim to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Maduro, leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, is accused by the US of leading a drug trafficking operation. He and his wife are currently held in New York awaiting judicial proceedings.
Aftermath and Allegations
Alongside Pavlou, other counter-protesters at the event included Venezuelan supporters of the Opposition who celebrated Maduro's capture. The incident highlights the tense intersection of international diplomacy, protest rights, and police powers on Australian soil.
NSW Police and Drew Pavlou have been contacted for further comment regarding the arrest and the allegations of force used.
