Wild scenes as pro, anti-Maduro protests rally in Brisbane, protesters defy police warnings in Sydney

Protesters have defied warnings from police in Sydney as hundreds rally across the country against the US attack on Venezuela.

On Sunday, the US confirmed it had conducted a “large scale strike” across Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, during which it had captured the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

US president Donald Trump has accused Mr Maduro of being “the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts of deadly and illicit drugs into the United States”.

He has claimed the US will run Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” and tap into the country’s large oil reserves.

In response, nationwide “emergency” protests were mobilised across Australia, with protest flyers circulating on social media.

In Sydney, protesters defied warnings from police that the gathering was not authorised following a declaration made by Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon under powers passed by parliament following the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Approximately 250 protesters gathered in Sydney’s CBD on Sunday despite the warning, carrying placards reading “down with imperialism” and “US out of Latin America”.

Others carried placards mimicking the American flag, but with red stripes and a skull and cross bones.

There were also about 40 people counter-protesting, police say.

Three people were arrested during the protests and were taken to Day St Police Station.

Two men, aged 26 and 34, were arrested for breach of the peace. They were released without charge at the end of the protest.

A 53-year-old woman was arrested for wearing what police said was an offensive shirt.

She was also released without charge after the protest finished.

A heavy police presence was also seen a separate rally in Brisbane on Sunday where pro-US and pro-Maduro protesters appeared to clash.

Some protesters appeared to be carrying signs supporting the deposed leader, Mr Maduro.

A similar rally was also held in Melbourne.

Protesters there were seen with placards stating “Trump is a terrorist” and “know your parasites”, featuring a caricature of Donald Trump.

The demonstrations, organised by Red Spark and the Latin American Solidarity Network, were held across Australia’s major capitals from 5pm on Sunday to oppose the US’ actions in Venezuela.

Social media posts outline protesters key demands: the US taking its “hands off” Venezuela and an immediate condemnation of the US government’s actions from Anthony Albanese.

“Trump and US imperialism must be stopped,” a post sharing the flyers read.

However, public demonstrations have been banned in Sydney since mid-December, when NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon exercised new powers prescribed after the Bondi Beach terror attack.

NSW Police earlier confirmed the planned protest at Town Hall was not authorised since the organisers have not lodged a Form 1 request.

Form 1s, when not challenged by police, can provide legal protections to protesters from charges like unlawful assembly.

“There has been no lodgement of a Form 1 by the organisers of this assembly,” a NSW Police spokesperson said in a statement.

“On 24 December 2025 the Commissioner of the NSW Police Force issued a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration under the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2002.

“This declaration remains in force and operates to restrict the authorisation of public assemblies within the Sydney metropolitan region.

“As a result, any assembly planned in support of Venezuela is not authorised and without this authorisation the event is not legally protected as an authorised assembly.”

NSW Police urged anyone planning to attend the protest to reconsider.

“The NSW Police Force will have a large presence throughout the Sydney metropolitan area on 4 January 2026 and will be present at Town Hall during the afternoon and evening to monitor and police this potential assembly,” the spokesperson said.