A striking visual protest has emerged in Caracas, Venezuela, with a giant banner bearing the message ‘Free Maduro and Cilia’ displayed on the Parque Central Complex on 19 January 2026. This act underscores the deep political tensions gripping the nation, as highlighted in a recent letter to the editor.
Venezuelan Citizen Voices Concerns Over US Intervention
In response to a Guardian report titled "Dictator ousted but regime intact – what next for Venezuela’s opposition?" published on 18 January, Gabriel Moncado Belisario from Barcelona, Venezuela, shares a poignant account of the early hours of Saturday 3 January. He describes witnessing his country being bombed by the United States, an event that has left many Venezuelans disillusioned.
Crossroads of Impossible Choices
Belisario reflects on the dashed hopes of his compatriots, who anticipated either the installation of Edmundo González Urrutia as president or the calling of new elections. However, these prospects now seem more distant than ever. The letter points to Donald Trump's assertion that the US must first "rebuild" Venezuela, implying a lack of faith in the nation's ability to conduct its own electoral processes.
This situation places Venezuela at a critical juncture, caught between two untenable options: one side that struggles to address domestic issues, and another that appears unwilling to facilitate a fair and transparent vote. Belisario emphasises that this dichotomy fails to serve the interests of the Venezuelan people.
Plea for Self-Determination and Democratic Values
The core of Belisario's argument is a fervent call for self-determination. He asserts that Venezuela requires clear and transparent elections above all else, rejecting the need for military intervention or economic deals with the American oil industry. The letter stresses that true democracy can only flourish when global priorities shift from resource exploitation to upholding electoral integrity.
Belisario concludes with a powerful statement: only when the international community values democratic principles more than oil will Venezuela be able to forge its own path and realise its national identity. This perspective adds to the ongoing discourse on sovereignty and external influence in the region.
