Groups of left-wing demonstrators voiced opposition to the U.S. military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday in Manhattan’s Times Square.

Protesters at the demonstration held signs reading, "Release Maduro."

Participants accused U.S. forces of abducting Maduro to benefit U.S. interests and reportedly set up booths handing out communist literature to recruit new supporters. 

Red flags and symbols associated with communist movements were spotted throughout the protests.

New York City’s newly-elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, weighed in on the news of Maduro’s capture, denouncing the operation as an unlawful interference in Venezuela’s sovereignty.