OPINION:
Last year, I moved out of New York, leaving behind the rise of democratic socialism and a political culture hostile to freedom. The same party that routinely labels President Trump a tyrant, a dictator and an illegitimate president are now rushing to defend Nicolas Maduro.
As the daughter of first-generation immigrants from Central America, I and my family have always been proud U.S. citizens. My parents have visited Venezuela and remember when it was one of the wealthiest countries in the world, ranking third in 1992. This was before 25 years of socialist turned communist rule brought starvation, economic collapse and political persecution.
Now, on the 36th anniversary of the arrest of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega, many believe that Venezuela has finally broken free from a brutal communist dictatorship. It’s no surprise the radical left is not among this contingent.
Instead, the left chooses to defend tyranny and denounce U.S. action. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat, slammed this weekend’s mission to capture Mr. Maduro as an illegal act of war. They claimed the U.S. is after only the oil and resources in Venezuela. So why are the Venezuelans celebrating and openly praying in the streets that the U.S. move means the end of the oppressive regime? Shouldn’t we be celebrating the fact that we will no longer suffer from 300,000 deaths per year from illegal drug trafficking?
These cheerleaders of socialism are afraid to face the truth: that peace can be achieved through strength with a system of individualism, not collectivism. This will hopefully be demonstrated by the true election winner of Venezuela, Edmundo Gonzalez, and the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado.
Mr. Maduro was given countless opportunities to leave Venezuela but instead taunted President Trump to “come for me, I am waiting for you. … Coward!”
To the supporters of “No Kings” and socialism, the Venezuelans tell a different story. You will thank me later when you realize how good America is thanks to the values and principles with which our Founding Fathers imbued it. To the people of Venezuela, siempre estamos con ustedes. ¡Felicidades! ¡Viva una Venezuela libre!
VIVIAN MORENO
Pinehurst, Texas
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