VENICE: Venice heightened security measures on Friday as US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrived aboard his superyacht, with demonstrations planned against US President Donald Trump’s policies ahead of one of the city’s largest annual festivals.
Fertitta, a billionaire businessman appointed by Trump, reached the historic lagoon city aboard his 117-metre yacht, Boardwalk, as part of his “Freedom 250 coastal diplomacy tour” commemorating the 250th anniversary of US independence.
Accompanied by a tugboat, the yacht docked at Riva dei Sette Martiri, a waterfront promenade located about one kilometre from St Mark’s Square. Authorities stepped up security amid expectations of protests coinciding with the Festa del Redentore celebrations.
The centuries-old festival marks the end of a devastating plague epidemic and is expected to attract thousands of residents and tourists on Saturday for religious events and a fireworks display.
Venice residents have long voiced concerns over overtourism and the city’s increasing role as a venue for high-profile events, including the wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez in June last year.
A local activist group organised a protest under the slogan “Venezia non si Usa” (“Venice is not to be used”), with demonstrators planning to march from the city centre to the area where Fertitta’s yacht is moored.
Protest organisers said they viewed the US ambassador as a representative of the Trump administration, accusing its policies of fuelling global conflicts, supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza and contributing to rising economic instability and living costs.
The visit also comes amid tensions between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following a series of public disagreements, including her rejection of Trump’s claim that she had “begged” for a joint photograph during the recent Group of Seven summit. Fertitta has dismissed reports suggesting relations between the two leaders have deteriorated.
