The Richmond City Council approved a resolution Tuesday night that calls for an immediate halt to U.S. military actions in Venezuela and the release of President Nicolas Maduro.
Introduced by Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, the measure condemns “unauthorized military strikes” and the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers, which supporters characterized as acts of piracy. Mayor Martinez stated that federal funds currently allocated to international conflicts would be better spent on local needs like housing and public safety.
This symbolic resolution continues a pattern of the City Council addressing global foreign policy issues. In 2016, 2023, and 2025, the body passed measures urging the U.S. government to end the trade embargo against Cuba and remove the nation from the state sponsors of terrorism list.
The council also approved a resolution in July 2025 asking Congress to block unauthorized military action against Iran. An October 2023 resolution declared solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, which made Richmond one of the first U.S. cities to take such a public stance on that conflict.
