Activist Drew Pavlou has been arrested by police after counter-protesting at a rally to speak out against the United States’ military action in Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro.
There was a moderate turnout of a few dozen at the ‘Hands off Venezuela’ protest held in Sydney on Sunday evening, which had been promoted by socialist groups Red Spark and Green Left.
Pavlou shared a picture of himself to social media, understood to have been taken just before the protest, holding a placard which read, ‘cry more commie scum’.
The pro-Western activist, who has previously demonstrated against the Chinese Communist Party, alleged riot squad police had hurt his arm during his brief arrest.
‘I got arrested for holding an anti-communist sign at the pro-Maduro communist rally in Sydney. I chanted ‘USA’ as I was arrested, cops put me in stress position,’ Pavlou said.
‘They came pretty close to breaking my arm. Released after 40 minutes in custody.’
He claimed he had briefly gone to the emergency department, but left when he was told it would be an hours-long wait for a consult.
The rally was one of a number held in Australia to protest US President Donald Trump sending military teams to kidnap the Venezuelan president and his wife.
Activist Drew Pavlou was arrested for 40 minutes at the ‘Hands off Venezuela’ protest held in Sydney on Sunday evening
The protest was promoted by socialist groups Red Spark and Green Left
Protesters at the rally (left) and Pavlou during his arrest (right)
Along with Pavlou, there were also Venezuelan supporters of the Opposition who counter-protested by celebrating Maduro’s capture
The was a heavy police turnout, including riot officers, for the small protest
Maduro is the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, though the US alleges he is corrupt and is the leader of the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) drug trafficking operation.
He and his wife are being held in New York where it is expected they will be put through the US judicial system.
NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia the ‘Hands off Venezuela’ protest had not been approved.
‘At 6pm on Sunday 4 January 2026, officers from Sydney City Police Area Command, assisted by resources attached to Operation Shelter, attended George Street, Sydney, in relation to an unauthorised protest,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Approximately 250 people participated in the protest, which remained stationary. A further 40 counter-protesters were also present.
‘Police arrested two men aged 26 and 34 for breach of the peace. They were taken to Day Street Police Station and released at the conclusion of the protest.
‘A 53-year-old woman was arrested for wearing a shirt displaying offensive messaging. She was taken to Day Street Police Station before she was released.
‘There was minimal impact on pedestrian or road traffic in the area. The group dispersed around 8pm with no other arrests made or incidents of note.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Drew Pavlou for comment.
