"Thousands of Venezuelans linked to communal councils and the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela rallied in Caracas on Wednesday, demanding the release of former president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, captured by US forces last week. Footage shows protesters listening to speeches, chanting and holding Venezuelan flags and photographs of Nicolas Maduro, as well as action figures of 'Super Bigote' and 'Super Cilita', representing the family. "We ask you, Trump, give Nicolas Maduro back to us. We are a democratic country, we are a country that chooses by vote and not by appointment," proclaimed a demonstrator. "Come and present yourself to these people. The people will tell you who their president is. You will never rule us. We would rather die, rather die than give our lives to the United States. We will never be a colony," she added. Another rally participant proclaimed, "We demand that you give Venezuela back its space, it is not yours, Venezuela is ours, give our president back. We want our president, Nicolas Maduro Moros and Cilia Flores back." In the early hours of Saturday, January 3, US forces launched a military operation in Caracas and neighbouring states, including La Guaira, Aragua and Miranda, striking both military and urban areas. It resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were subsequently taken to the United States. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed the role of interim president of Venezuela on Sunday, January 4, a move that generated mixed international reactions due to its impact on the country's sovereignty. Donald Trump vowed that he would 'run' the country, suggesting Rodriguez could face a fate 'far worse' than Maduro if she did not go along with it."