By Kolby LaMarche

Dozens of people gathered downtown on Saturday to protest the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The protest took place near City Hall and on Church Street. Participants held signs reading “No Blood for Oil” and chanted “Money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation.”

Organizers included members of the Vermont Democratic Party and anti-war groups. A similar protest happened in Brattleboro yesterday. Seemingly co-leading the protest with Democrats were members of the newly-established Vermont Party for Socialism and Liberation. 

Vermont’s congressional delegation condemned the operation. Sen. Bernie Sanders called Maduro a brutal dictator but said the actions by the White House were “illegal and reckless”. Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint made similar statements.

In early December 2025, Vermont Democrats released a statement in which they preemptively condemned any military action in the region, saying “President Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally drag Vermonters into a foreign conflict. Deploying the Vermont Air National Guard without congressional authorization is unconstitutional, dangerous, and an abuse of power,.”

The operation, called Absolute Resolve, happened early Saturday in Caracas. U.S. forces struck military sites to disable air defenses. Special operations troops then raided Maduro’s location at Fuerte Tiuna, a military complex. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody.

They were flown to a U.S. ship in the Caribbean and then to New York. Maduro faces federal charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.

More than 150 U.S. aircraft took part. This included fighters, bombers, and helicopters.

The Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing played a role. Known as the Green Mountain Boys, the unit is based at the airport and operates state-of-the-art F-35A jets.

The wing originally deployed F-35s to Puerto Rico in December as part of a military buildup called Operation Southern Spear, likely a course of training for service members soon to be in Venezuela. 

Military reporters and sources say the Vermont jets helped suppress Venezuelan air defenses during the raid. The F-35s used their stealth features, advanced sensors, and electronic warfare systems to neutralize radar sites and surface-to-air missile threats, such as the Russian-provided S-300 anti-air systems. 

This cleared a safe path for the special operations helicopters to reach the target amid poor weather and potential ground fire. Additionally, the F-35’s are believed to have covered special operators in their exit from the country. 

Adjutant General Greg Knight said all Vermont Guard members involved are safe. The Guard did not confirm details of the unit’s actions.

Some Vermonters expressed concern over the local unit’s involvement in the operation.

The raid lasted under 30 minutes. Venezuelan officials reported deaths, including civilians and military personnel. U.S. officials said some American forces were injured but none killed.

Maduro is set to appear in federal court in New York on Monday.

Reactions in Vermont focused on opposition to the intervention. Protesters and officials raised concerns about legality and risks of further conflict.