In Venezuela, the Era of Escaping Consequences Is Over

In the wake of the narco-regime’s takedown, five lessons emerge — for the region, for the U.S., and for the world.

Share this story

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro gives a state of the nation address at the National Assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 12, 2023.

Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

Venezuela’s corrupt leaders got away with it for too long. They sent forth millions of their own citizenry to be trafficked, and they got away with it. They trafficked the drugs that killed and addicted millions of our neighbors and family, and they got away with it. They formed alliances with cartels dealing in goods and people, and they got away with it. They entered into the business of narco-terrorism, and they got away with it. They invited the worst enemies of the United States into the Americas — the Russians, the Chinese, the Iranians — and they got away with it. They did all this for years, and they got away with it.

They got away with it until the dark hours of January 3, 2026.

Joshua S. Treviño

About the Author

Joshua S. Treviño

Joshua S. Treviño works in public policy in Austin, Texas, and in Washington, D.C.

Comments

Advertisement

Advertisement