"Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the United States Consulate in Johannesburg's district of Sandton on Friday, to denounce US 'imperialism' and Washington's foreign policies toward Venezuela and Palestine. Footage shows demonstrators holding Palestinian flags and placards bearing messages such as, 'America has always been on the wrong side of every liberation struggle on earth', and 'Wipe out US imperialism'. Activist Stephen Faulkner said there are clear parallels between what Palestine and Venezuela are facing, stating both countries are being 'under attack from imperialism'. "This is very scary for us in the southern part of our continent," Faulkner said. "We know our continent is rich with extractives and possesses many things the Northern Hemisphere wants." He claimed that the issue goes beyond oil, saying, "If you show that you are prepared to empower the people and take on the multinational companies - which are at the core of Trumpism - then you can expect repression. That is Trump's message." Protesters also alleged that Donald Trump narratives targeting Venezuela and South Africa are merely a pretext for sanctions or economic intervention. "Both are clearly false and are being used as a pretext to justify actions in South Africa as well, such as imposing more tariffs or even sanctions," one demonstrator said. Maduro and his wife, accused of narco-terrorism by the United States, were captured in the so-called 'Operation Absolute Resolution', led by US forces, which involved attacks in Caracas and three states near the capital. At least 100 people were killed and 'a similar number wounded' as a result of the operation, according to Venezuela's Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello. Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez reaffirmed Maduro's authority despite his imprisonment, stating that "there is a government, that of President Nicolas Maduro" and that she has "the responsibility to take charge while his kidnapping lasts.""