ALBUQUERQUE — Protesters marched in downtown Albuquerque over the weekend following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
KOAT reported that a large crowd of demonstrators walked from Robinson Park toward Civic Plaza carrying signs including “No More Wars,” “No Blood for Oil” and “No War.”
The rally was organized by the Southwest Solidarity Network and included activists with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Some demonstrators questioned the legality of the operation, arguing that it was not authorized by Congress. Nationally, the operation has prompted renewed debate in Washington over presidential war powers and the role of Congress in approving military action.
In an interview with KOAT, protester Samuel Walling said he did not believe there was a valid justification for the operation.
“I mean, supposedly terrorism, but we’re mainly there to get oil,” Walling told the station.
Others criticized the cost of military operations abroad, arguing federal dollars should be spent on domestic needs.
“A bunch of people at this park right now are literally homeless, and a bunch of us have to work multiple jobs to pay for rent, to pay for food,” Keegan Kloer told KOAT. “I think that’s a terrible way to spend money.”
Police were present during the march and no arrests were reported.
