Illinois leaders, Chicago communities react to U.S military operation in Venezuela

Illinois leaders and Chicago communities are reacting after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela on Saturday. 

On Saturday morning, President Trump confirmed U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and announced the capture of the country's leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.  

In a media conference on Saturday, President Trump  the U.S. would "run the country" of Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." 

"We're not afraid to have boots on the ground," Mr. Trump said. "But we're going to make sure that country is run properly. We're not doing this in vain."   

Many U.S. adversaries, including some of Venezuela's nearest neighbors, condemned the strikes, while other governments around the world called for deescalation and voiced concern for their citizens in the Latin American nation.

In Chicago, local organizations are planning an anti-war protest on Saturday night, joining other cities nationwide. 

Local leaders react to military action in Venezuela

Governor JB Pritzker reacted to the military strike, calling it "unconstitutional." He shared a statement in the following post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday: 

"Donald Trump's unconstitutional military action in Venezuela is putting our troops in harm's way with no long-term strategy. The American people deserve a President focused on making their lives more affordable."

Mayor Brandon Johnson responded, saying the military action in Venezuela "violates international law" and "dangerously escalates" the possibility of war. Johnson released the following statement: 

"As we have said for the past two years, the dehumanization of migrants from Venezuela, and of immigrants generally, by the Far Right has laid the groundwork for military action in Central and South America. I strongly condemn the Trump administration's inhumane treatment of migrants in our country and this illegal regime change abroad.  

In Chicago, we will continue to uphold the values of peace, diplomacy, and mutual respect for all people." 

Senator Tammy Duckworth issued the following statement in part in reaction to Trump's actions in Venezuela: 

"Donald Trump's reckless and unconstitutional operations in Venezuela—including this morning's arrest of a foreign leader—are not about enforcing law and order because if they were, he wouldn't hide them from Congress. Maduro was unquestionably a bad actor, but no President has the authority to unilaterally decide to use force to topple a government, thrusting us and the region into uncertainty without justification, a defined end-state or a real plan for preventing the instability that could come next. His actions continue putting American troops, personnel and citizens at risk both in the region and around the globe. None of that serves our nation's interests."  

Rep. Brad Schneider is calling on President Trump to "present Congress with a credible strategy" after the action taken. He released the following statement in part: 

"Nicolas Maduro has been indicted in U.S. courts for drug trafficking, stole the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election, and has denied the Venezuelan people their just democratic aspirations. He is unquestionably a bad actor who deserves to face justice.
"Those facts alone, however, do not relieve President Trump of his constitutional obligations or give him blanket authority to send the U.S. military into a foreign land."

Representative Mike Quigley called Trump's actions "a blatant violation of U.S. and international law." Quigley said Trump is "desperate to distract the American people from his failing domestic policies and numerous scandals." He released the following statement in part:

"Congress must demand that Trump receive Congressional authority before any additional actions in Venezuela. It is time to restore the authority of the Constitution."  

Rep. Robin Kelly also condemned the action taken in Venezuela, calling it "shortsighted." He called it "having the ability to drag the U.S. into a reckless conflict that could destabilize the entire region." He released the following statement in part:

"I demand a vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop President Trump from launching further military action without Congressional approval." 

Rep. Delia Ramirez  joined the growing list of local leaders condemning the strike, calling it a "kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro." She released the following statement in part:

"Today's military operation in Venezuela and the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro are illegal, dangerous violations of international and US law that put us all at risk. The Trump Administration is continuing an agenda of US interventionism in Latin America that has only led to human rights violations, democratic backsliding, economic destabilization, deep poverty, genocide, and mass migration. History has shown us that peace and democracy in Latin America have never been realized through unauthorized United States military intervention."

Protesters take to Federal Plaza in Chicago

Chicagoans reacted with mixed feelings over the trump administration's military operation.

While many Venezuelans in the city celebrated, others voiced disapproval of the actions, with a large protest downtown, joining other anti-war protests across the country.

In Chicago, Hundreds gathered at Federal Plaza downtown, concerned about how the U.S. removed Nicolás Maduro, chanting "no boots on the ground, no bombs in the air."

"We stand in complete solidarity with the Venezuelan people against U.S. imperialist aggression," said Teresa Antonio of Anti-War Committee Chicago.

Protesters were concerned that the removal of Maduro could lead to another U.S. foreign war. They also said the operation was illegal.

"This was all done without the approval of Congress, and more importantly, without the approval of the American people," said Brandon of PSL Chicago.

Following the rally, protesters marched through the Loop.

The anti-war march in downtown Chicago, featuring hundreds of marchers, was just one of several held across the country on Saturday.

Protests were also held across the U.S., including cities like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Denver.

Scenes of celebration also played out throughout the country, particularly in Miami, as Venezuelans in the U.S. feel a sense of liberation from the Maduro regime.

But those against how Maduro was removed are concerned about the Trump administration's justification and where it may lead for the U.S. and Venezuela.

"This is not about drugs, this is about oil, imperialism, and power," said Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th)

A CBS News poll from November found 70% of Americans would oppose the U.S. taking military action in Venezuela, with 30% who would favor such an action.