Workers demand elections, salary increases at US embassy in Venezuela
A woman holding flags of Venezuela and the United States during a demonstration in Caracas on April 16, 2026 (AFP / Federico PARRA)
Syndicalists and workers gathered outside the US embassy in Venezuela on Thursday, demanding new elections and salary increases, over three months after President Nicolas Maduro was captured by the American army on January 3.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez governs under American pressure, especially from President Donald Trump, who has been accused of being responsible for Venezuela and its oil sales.
A few protesters made their way to the US embassy in the wealthy district of the capital. The diplomatic mission resumed operations following the restoration of relations between Washington and Caracas after a seven-year break.
Their demands include salary increases, release of political prisoners, and the organization of free elections.
“At the moment, the Venezuelan government is under American guardianship. So, we will talk to the Americans to get a response to our demands,” said 70-year-old unionist Laura Rada.
“We want to thank the American government for giving us a breather, but they need to finish the job,” said unionist Victor Pereira, a local embassy employee.
“We urgently need elections,” said AFP’s Carlos Salazar, coordinator of a union coalition.
“Venezuela is under American guardianship at the moment. It’s as simple as that,” analyzed 62-year-old retired Adriana Farnetano, holding an American flag and wrapped in the national tricolor flag.
However, she complained, “There’s the oil business and all that, but we don’t see any of it at the moment. We see nothing of oil, gold, or anything.”
Supporters gather at a rally near the US embassy
Carlos Salazar, coordinator of a union coalition, handing documents with demands to a US embassy official in Caracas on April 16, 2026 (AFP / Federico PARRA)
With flags of Venezuela and the United States, around 200 people had gathered earlier on a square near the embassy in support of the demands.
Protests had become rare in the country after the repression during Maduro’s controversial re-election on July 28, 2024. Since his capture, protests have resumed.
