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OPINION:
President Trump, Venezuela matters! How the United States handles the Venezuelan crisis will profoundly affect not only this nation and your administration but also the entire Western Hemisphere.
Responding to the increasing international isolation, Dictator Nicolás Maduro, who has refused to yield power after his defeat in the July 2024 presidential election, maybe signaling his intent to negotiate an agreement to ensure the survival of the Chavista regime even after his departure.
The current U.S. administration may be tempted to support such a strategy in a desperate attempt to show results after years of failure. President Biden has already allowed Venezuelan criminal organizations, such as the Cartel de los Soles (supported by the Venezuelan Armed Forces (FANB)) and its criminal branch, the Tren de Aragua, to infiltrate the United States. This flawed policy poses a clear and present danger to U.S. citizens and must be addressed immediately.
A peaceful transition of power to bring the rightful president, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, into office should be supported, but not at the cost of granting impunity for the crimes Maduro and his cronies have committed since 2015. Sustainable peace is not achieved through blanket pardons or by leaving the Chavista power structure intact, ready to reclaim power. The United States should advocate for a post-Chavista Venezuela modeled on the reconstruction strategy used in Germany after 1945 (Denazification)—not the failed appeasement approach attempted in Nicaragua in 1990, which incubated the current dictatorship in that country.
The United States cannot accept, much less promote, any arrangement undermining its regional interests. The Venezuelan people deserve a fair chance to rebuild their country, but this will never happen under a framework of impunity.
Political inertia and wishful thinking will not dislodge the Chavista crime ring. Rebuilding Venezuela’s democratic institutions requires a bold strategy, decisively supported by the United States and its allies, to empower uncompromised Venezuelan leaders.
The Venezuelan regime’s links to terrorism and transnational crime underscore the urgency of a stronger response. Economic sanctions, while necessary, have proven insufficient to stop the expansion of Venezuela’s terrorist networks. Therefore, the Venezuelan American Patriot Foundation (VAPF), respectfully requests that the United States formally designate the Venezuelan Armed Forces (FANB), the Cartel de los Soles, and the Tren de Aragua as terrorist organizations. This will enable the activation of all the tools the United States Government (USG) has at its disposal to address a situation of this magnitude.
Dealing with Venezuela is challenging due to its embedded institutional corruption and the proliferation of criminal networks. The country must be cleansed of its “swamp creatures,” and new leadership committed to Venezuela’s best interests must take charge to Make Venezuela Great Again! The USG must wisely choose a strategy and the political actors capable of executing it effectively.
We believe the United States must adopt a new strategy for Venezuela that prioritizes restoring the rule of law as the foundation for broader regional security. The U.S. has a history of stepping up in global crises. After World War II, the Marshall Plan rebuilt Europe, and in the early 2000s, Plan Colombia rescued Colombia from Marxist guerrillas and drug cartels. The beauty that Venezuela presents is that it can fund its own reconstruction with its vast natural resources and with Venezuelan monies that have been frozen by the USG.
We propose Plan Venezuela 2025: An Accelerated Reconstruction Strategy.
Addressing Six Critical Emergencies: Urgently tackling humanitarian, economic, institutional, security, fundamental rights, and geopolitical challenges.
- Transitioning the Economy to Innovation and Global Competitiveness: Attracting investment and fostering sustainable growth.
- Rebuilding Democratic Institutions and the Rule of Law: Strengthening institutions to restore public trust and accountability.
- Facilitating the Return of Venezuelans in Exile: Developing reintegration programs to leverage the skills of at least one million exiles for national development.
- Reducing External Debt and Stabilizing Fiscal Accounts: Establishing fiscal discipline and sustainable economic policies.
- Reinforcing Venezuela as a Strategic Ally: Combating drug trafficking and organized crime.
- Implementing a U.S.-Led Reconstruction Plan: Providing financial incentives and technical assistance to rehabilitate essential services while fostering mutual strategic benefits.
President Trump, Venezuela represents a significant threat to U.S. interests and hemispheric democracy. Continuing inaction and appeasement in the hope of Maduro’s peaceful exit from power will only perpetuate the failures of the current and past administrations toward Latin America, with dire consequences for the United States.
As American citizens of Venezuelan origin, we urge the development of a comprehensive strategy to prevent the continuity of the Chavista narco-regime. This strategy will serve the interests of both the United States, Venezuela, and the region. We are prepared to do our part and only ask for the support of our friends. We remain at your disposal for any further assistance.
• Miguel Angel Martin, President of the Venezuelan American Patriots Foundation (VAPF) and the former President of the Venezuelan Supreme Court in exile. Ignacio De Leon, Founding Member, VAPF. Esteban Gerbasi, Founding Member, VAPF.
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