Protesters interrupt Elliott Abrams during Venezuela hearing

Protesters on Wednesday interrupted a hearing on the situation in Venezuela featuring special representative Elliott Abrams.

Three members of Code Pink, a women-led organization opposed to U.S. wars and militarism, had to be removed from the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing.

{mosads}The group’s national co-director Ariel Gold was arrested after telling the committee not to trust Abrams and to pursue diplomacy.

“Don’t listen to Abrams,” she said. “We must not go down a path to war. We need you to push for negotiations, not a U.S.-orchestrated coup. No coup in Venezuela.”

Caroline Debnam was arrested next for interrupting the hearing to say that backing National Assembly leader Juan Guaidó instead of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would lead to a civil war.

“Setting up a parallel government with Juan Guaido is illegal, irresponsible and sets Venezuela on a path toward civil war,” she said. “Instead of exacerbating the tensions, the US should be supporting with efforts of Mexico, Venezuela and the Vatican to mediate the crisis.”

And Kei Pritsker told the committee to “look at the history of Eliot Abrams throughout Central America and the Middle East, creating wars, chaos and mayhem on behalf of U.S. corporations.”

“He should be tried for war crimes, not testifying in the US Congress.”