Sam Trenholme’s blog
The liberation of Venezuela
January 4, 2026
I look at the liberation of Venezuela.The liberation of Venezuela
Sometimes, a country in Latin America makes a leftward turn and embraces socialism. This is always a disaster for the country; Cuba’s economy tanked when they did this in the 1960s and never recovered. Chile was going the same way until we intervened in the early 1970s; while its recovery from that dark era was a slow process, Chile is now one of the most prosperous Latin American countries. Likewise, we did the same with Panama in 1989 when its leadership became too corrupt, and Panama is now a thriving and prosperous economy.
And, here in 2026, we have done the same with Venezuela. Some want to compare this to Iraq and Afghanistan, but that’s not an apt comparison: Neither of those countries has truly known democracy, and we were unable to teach it to them. Chile knew and knows democracy. Panama knew and knows democracy. Venezuela knew democracy until recently, when hard leftists took over in 1998 and took away democracy from its people.
Between 2013 and 2020, Venezuela went from being one of the richest countries in Latin America to being one of the poorest, with its economy becoming 80% smaller. By 2019, Venezuela had tanks run over peaceful protesters. In 2024, president Maduro lost by nearly two thirds of the vote, but falsely claimed he won and held on to power.
While nation building is difficult, and ultimately was not possible when we tried with countries in the Middle East, it’s a very different kettle of fish in Latin America. Based on how previous nations in Latin America have recovered from coups like this one, things look very bright for Venezuela.
If I were younger and still single, I would seriously consider relocating and living there. The women are beautiful and Latinas are spicy but very faithful wives, and property including beautiful beachfront property is available for pennies on the dollar right now.
People from Venezuela are very happy that their country has been liberated from dictatorship, having lived under horrible conditions and often times forced to leave their home. There have been marches of celebration across the world as Venezuelan refugees hope that they can return to their homeland, and that the oppression started by Chávez and continued by Maduro is finally at an end.
Things look very hopeful. This is a great way to start off 2026, which is looking to become a really wonderful year.