Demonstrators have rallied outside the United States consulate in Edinburgh, demanding the immediate release of detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and calling for a suspension of Scottish Government cooperation with US authorities.
Protest Condemns 'Military Aggression'
The protest, which took place on Saturday 10 January 2026 on Regent Street, was organised by Stop the War Scotland with backing from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), the Scottish Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, and the Scottish Cuba Solidarity Campaign. Attendees directed their calls for action at US President Donald Trump and world leaders, urging intervention.
Linda Somerville, STUC deputy general secretary, addressed the crowd. "We are here today on behalf of Scotland's trade union movement to give our absolute backing to the people of Venezuela," she stated. She condemned what she described as "military aggression and intervention" leading to the "kidnapping" of President Maduro and the First Lady, calling on UK politicians, particularly the Prime Minister, to oppose the actions which she said breached international law.
Calls for Scottish Government Action
A central demand from the protesters was for the Scottish Government to suspend its co-operation with the US Government. Sophie Johnson, secretary of Stop the War Scotland, accused the Trump administration of "open act of military aggression and imperial domination." She criticised the UK Government for "meekly bowing to US power" and demanded it dissociate itself from US actions.
Johnson specifically called on First Minister John Swinney to act. "It’s time for the Scottish Government to end its trade talks with the US until aggression ceases and international law is complied with," she argued, warning that failure to confront the US now would lead to multiplying global threats.
Background: The Seizure of the 'Bella-1'
The protest follows the controversial seizure of the Venezuelan-linked vessel, the Marinera (formerly the Bella-1), in the Atlantic. The UK Government confirmed that on Wednesday, RAF surveillance aircraft and the naval supply ship RFA Tideforce assisted the US-led operation at America's request.
As part of the mission, US special operations aircraft landed at Wick John O'Groats Airport in the Highlands before flying further north. Defence Secretary John Healey clarified that no British personnel were involved in boarding the vessel.
First Minister John Swinney stated the Scottish Government was not involved in the seizure, describing it as relating "entirely to reserved functions." He revealed that arrangements for the US aircraft to land at Wick had been made weeks prior, but the Scottish Government was not informed of the operational details.
"I think it’s important that there is the very closest of a dialogue about issues of a geopolitical nature," Swinney said, emphasising the need for the Scottish Government to be "fully sighted" on activities in and around Scottish waters. He told journalists it was "unlikely" the Wick-based aircraft were used in the seizure, as their bookings were made in December.
The UK and Scottish Governments were approached for further comment on the protest's demands.
