Mamdani does not stand with Venezuelans — it was – Latest News
For years, Venezuela has been a grim testomony to what occurs when socialism takes over: damaged hospitals, rampant crime, mass emigration, and the unpunished proliferation of drug trafficking by a regime that weaponizes distress in opposition to its own people and the world to revenue and stay in energy.
I do know this as a result of I lived it. I escaped a nation hollowed out by socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez.
When I woke up to the information that President Trump had ordered an operation that efficiently captured Maduro and his legal spouse to face their current indictment within the United States, I truthfully couldn’t imagine it.
I was shaking as a result of of the happiness of the second, one I had been ready for my total life.
My elation at Maduro’s seize by the United States is shared by the overwhelming majority of Venezuelans each inside and out of doors the nation.
The solely motive not to have fun is that the regime nonetheless has leaders in energy within the nation, so many inside Venezuela are nonetheless cautious and scared — of them, not of the United States.
This is why statements equivalent to these of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemning Trump’s transfer on behalf of Venezuelans in New York City is so shameful.
He does not symbolize us: We stand with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the United States in opposition to Maduro.
But even worse was seeing so many ignorant and paid left-wing protestors in Manhattan this weekend. They chanted “Hands off Venezuela” and decried “US imperialism” purporting to stand with Venezuelans. But they do not stand with us. How can they inform Venezuelans how we should always really feel?
The insurance policies superior by American democratic socialists like Mamdani are those from which we fled. Mamdani claimed he stood with “Venezuelan New Yorkers.” The very existence of “Venezuelan New Yorkers” is as a result of so many left the socialist regime. Has Mayor Mamdani ever spoken to a Venezuelan New Yorker?
Venezuela’s financial system was destroyed by what Mamdani known as “warm collectivism,” not the American rugged individualism he decried. It was nationalizations and infinite authorities “free stuff,” public housing tasks and eviction prohibitions, price controls and onerous rules. These are exact same insurance policies supported by the mayor. They all failed spectacularly.
Critics of the president will howl about “imperialism” or “interventionism” — however that narrative ignores the elemental human tragedy Venezuela has endured for almost 20 years.
Venezuelan-Americans celebrating the seize of Nicolás Maduro by the US navy exterior of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Jan. 3, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
It ignores political prisoners languishing with out hope, together with my pricey good friend Maria Oropeza, who lies alone in a torture heart for the reason that summer time of 2024.
It ignores the exodus of almost 9 million who fled hunger and violence.
It ignores how Maduro’s authorities trafficked cocaine to America and aligned with hostile powers in opposition to the United States.
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It ignores that Tren de Aragua gangsters got here to America due to Maduro and killed innocents like Jocelyn Nungaray and Laken Riley.
It ignores that socialist insurance policies destroyed the once-great Venezuelan oil industry, reducing manufacturing and raising the gasoline costs we pay right here within the United States.
When peaceable measures fail to realize justice, power turns into the one option — and navy power is the one language that the Maduro regime understands.
There is far to be taught nonetheless, however it’s a great day for the United States and for Venezuela.
Venezuela now has a probability to be free again.
Daniel Di Martino is a Manhattan Institute fellow and a Venezuelan immigrant.
