By: Ricardo Abud
A reflection on national dignity, popular unity and the defense of the homeland
Venezuela stands as a nation that has managed to maintain its dignity and sovereignty despite multiple external pressures. Its history, forged by the independence struggles of Simón Bolívar and fueled by the indomitable spirit of its indigenous peoples and African heritage, has created a national character that refuses to yield to foreign threats.
The relationship between Venezuela and the United States transcends simple diplomatic frameworks to become a symbol of the eternal tension between the right of peoples to self-determination and the hegemonic interests of the great powers. This dynamic is not new in Latin America, but it takes on particular nuances when it comes to a nation that possesses some of the most important energy reserves on the planet.
Venezuela has been blessed by nature with an abundance of resources that make it a coveted piece in the global chess game. Its oil reserves, certified as the largest in the world, exceed 300 billion barrels, representing approximately 18% of proven global reserves. But Venezuela's wealth goes beyond oil.
The country's subsoil contains deposits of natural gas, gold, diamonds, iron, bauxite, coal, and a variety of strategic minerals, including coltan, a crucial element for modern technology. The Orinoco Mining Arc region contains gold reserves that rival the largest on the continent, while the iron reserves of Cerro Bolívar have fueled the national steel industry for decades.
Water resources are equally important: Venezuela has one of the most significant freshwater reserves in South America, with mighty rivers that originate in its mountains and fuel both internal development and regional ecosystems. Venezuela's biodiversity, concentrated in its Amazon rainforests, plains, and mountain ranges, represents an invaluable asset for humanity.
This natural abundance, far from being a coincidence, is the result of ancient geological processes that have endowed Venezuelan territory with a wealth that belongs, by historical and natural right, to the people who inhabit it.
Recent history has shown that Venezuelans, beyond internal political differences, maintain a deep sense of national belonging. Economic crises, international pressure, and attempts at external interference have paradoxically served to strengthen the ties that unite a people conscious of their identity and proud of their sovereignty.
This cohesion is not a product of chance, but the result of centuries of cultural fusion, shared struggles, and a collective consciousness forged in adversity. The average Venezuelan, regardless of their political position, viscerally rejects any attempt at foreign intervention that jeopardizes national independence.
Latin American history is rife with examples of foreign interventions that, under the pretext of "restoring democracy" or "protecting human rights," have resulted in decades of chaos, destruction, and suffering for the affected peoples. Venezuelans have closely observed these precedents and have developed a natural resistance to any proposal that entails the loss of their capacity for self-determination.
Contrary to what some international circles may believe, the majority of the Venezuelan people maintain a clear and forceful position against any form of foreign military intervention. This position is not driven by specific political sympathies or antipathies, but rather by a deep conviction in the inalienable right of peoples to resolve their differences without external interference.
Surveys and sociological studies have consistently shown that, even among sectors critical of the national government, there is a majority rejection of military intervention as a mechanism for political change. This position reflects the political maturity of a population that understands that internal problems must be resolved internally, respecting institutions and the national Constitution.
The experience of other countries in the region that have suffered foreign intervention has served as a deterrent for Venezuelans, who have seen how these actions, far from resolving problems, have exponentially worsened them, plunging entire nations into prolonged and devastating conflicts.
Venezuela has a strong tradition of political dialogue and negotiation, dating back to the Punto Fijo Accords, which has allowed for the peaceful and democratic resolution of differences throughout its republican history. This capacity for dialogue has not disappeared; rather, it has been strengthened in the face of contemporary challenges.
We Venezuelans have demonstrated, on numerous occasions, our ability to resolve differences through debate, negotiation, and mutual compromise. This democratic tradition is an invaluable asset that allows us to envision endogenous solutions to national problems, without the need to resort to external mediators who, inevitably, bring their own interests and agendas.
The dialogue and negotiation table has historically been the natural space where Venezuelans have resolved their differences. This forum, respected by all political forces in the country, represents the institutional maturity of a nation confident in its ability to find its own solutions to its internal challenges.
World history teaches us that external arbiters, no matter how well-intentioned they may seem, always act in accordance with their own national interests. The Venezuelan experience has not been immune to this reality, and as a result, the people have developed an understandable distrust of those who designate themselves as mediators or facilitators of internal political processes.
Venezuela possesses the institutions, constitutional mechanisms, and, above all, the popular wisdom necessary to resolve its differences without external tutelage. The principle of self-determination, enshrined in international charters and defended by the founding fathers, is not a rhetorical aspiration, but a concrete practice that must be exercised at every historical juncture.
National sovereignty is non-negotiable, and any process for resolving internal differences must begin with the recognition of this fundamental principle. Venezuelans do not need to be told how to solve their problems, because they possess the historical experience, intellectual capacity, and political will to do it themselves.
The Venezuelan people are, by nature and tradition, a peaceful people. Their history is marked by the constant search for social harmony and democratic coexistence. Even in the most difficult times, we Venezuelans have opted for dialogue rather than confrontation, for negotiation rather than confrontation.
This commitment to peace should not be interpreted as weakness or passivity. On the contrary, it reflects the strength of a mature people who understand that peace is the indispensable framework for development, progress, and collective happiness. For Venezuelans, peace is both a means and an end, both a methodology and a strategic objective.
The peaceful spirit of the Venezuelan people has been demonstrated in their ability to maintain constructive diplomatic relations with nations of different political orientations, in their commitment to multilateralism, and in their active participation in international organizations dedicated to promoting peace and cooperation among peoples.
However, the love of peace should not be confused with the renunciation of the legitimate right to defense. Venezuela, like any sovereign nation, has the inalienable right to defend its territory, its independence, and its self-determination against any external aggression. This right is enshrined in the National Constitution, in international charters, and in the fundamental principles of international law.
The National Armed Forces, heirs to the liberating armies of Bolívar, Sucre, and Páez, maintain their historic commitment to the defense of the homeland, as do the Bolivarian militias. Their training, equipment, and doctrine are oriented toward the comprehensive defense of the national territory and the protection of the civilian population against any external threat.
Venezuela's defense capacity is not limited solely to its regular military forces. The concept of comprehensive defense includes the active participation of the entire population in the protection of the national territory, following the principles of the people's war, which have proven effective in different historical and geographical contexts.
Venezuelan history teaches us that, in the face of external threats, internal differences dissolve to give way to unbreakable national unity. This lesson, learned in the wars of independence and endorsed at different moments in republican history, remains relevant today.
Any external aggression against Venezuela would find a people united in a single voice, ready to defend their sovereignty with all the means at their disposal. This unity transcends political, social, or economic boundaries, because it touches the most intimate fiber of national sentiment: love for the homeland and rejection of foreign domination.
Historical experience shows that people united in the defense of their independence are practically invincible. Venezuela's geography, with its mountains, jungles, plains, and coasts, offers an ideal natural setting for the defense of the territory, while the population, familiar with every corner of the country, constitutes the best bulwark against any attempt at occupation.
Over the years, Venezuela has developed a defense capability commensurate with the threats it faces. This capability includes not only modern military equipment but also a comprehensive defense doctrine that involves the entire society in the protection of the national territory.
Venezuela's defensive arsenal combines advanced technology with proven tactics, air defense systems with asymmetric warfare capabilities, and professional training with popular mobilization. This combination requires any potential aggressor to seriously consider the costs of a potential military adventure against Venezuelan territory.
But Venezuela's true arsenal is its people. A people conscious of their history, proud of their independence, and willing to defend it with their lives if necessary. This human factor, impossible to quantify in conventional military terms, constitutes the strongest guarantee that Venezuela will maintain its sovereignty against all odds.
World history is replete with examples of small nations defeating powerful empires when they fought for independence on their own soil. From the American Wars of Independence to the national liberation conflicts of the 20th century, the constant has been the same: nations fighting for their freedom on their own soil have strategic advantages that offset any numerical or technological superiority of the aggressor.
Venezuela possesses all the geographic, demographic, and psychological conditions necessary to make any external aggression a costly and uncertain venture for the aggressor. Its vast and diverse territory, its large and patriotic population, and its liberating military tradition constitute first-rate deterrents.
Recent experience with asymmetric conflicts in different parts of the world has shown that technological superiority does not guarantee victory when facing nations determined to defend their independence. This lesson has not gone unheard by Venezuelan military strategists, who have adapted their defensive doctrine to this contemporary reality.
In this context, it is essential for the international community to understand that any aggression against Venezuela would not only violate the fundamental principles of international law, but would also have unpredictable consequences for regional and global stability.
Latin America has experienced too many foreign interventions that have left behind destruction, chaos, and suffering. The region needs peace, cooperation, and mutual respect, not new conflicts that fuel the vicious cycle of violence and instability.
The peoples of the world, and especially those of Latin America, must raise their voices to reject any military adventure against Venezuela. International solidarity must not be an abstract concept, but a concrete practice manifested in support for the principles of self-determination and non-intervention.
Venezuela aspires to a future of peace, development, and international cooperation. Its natural resources must serve the well-being of its people and the progress of humanity, not become an object of covetousness for foreign powers. Its strategic geographic location must be a bridge of unity between peoples, not a battleground for hegemonic interests.
The Venezuelan people have the capacity, the will, and the resources necessary to build their own destiny. They do not need external tutelage or "saving" interventions. What they need is respect, recognition of their sovereignty, and opportunities for mutually beneficial exchange with the rest of the world. Even less so are they instigated by schemes that seek to pave the way for intervention in our country.
History will judge those who, at these crucial moments, chose to respect the right of peoples to self-determination or to impose their interests at the expense of regional peace and stability. Venezuela hopes that wisdom will prevail over ambition, and that peace will triumph over the impulses of war.
The words of Liberator Simón Bolívar resonate with prophetic force in these times: "For us, the Homeland is America." This integrative vision is not opposed to Venezuelan patriotism, but rather places it within a broader context of Latin American brotherhood and global cooperation.
Venezuela, faithful to this Bolivarian heritage, aspires to live in peace with all nations, but maintains its inalienable right to self-determination. Its people, united in diversity, cohesive in decisive moments, and proud of its history, constitute the strongest guarantee that national sovereignty will be preserved for future generations.
The final reflection must revolve around a fundamental truth: peoples who know their history, value their independence, and are willing to defend it can never be subjugated by force. Venezuela is one of those peoples, and its destiny is in its own hands, forged by its own will and protected by its own dignity.
In these times of global uncertainty, Venezuela stands as an example that it is possible to maintain national sovereignty without abandoning international dialogue, defend independence without provoking conflict, and aspire to peace without renouncing dignity. This is the Venezuela that looks to the future: sovereign, dignified, and at peace.
Venezuela respects itself, damn it.
THERE IS NOTHING MORE EXCLUSIVE THAN BEING POOR.
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