When the Wicked Fall: Venezuela’s Turning Point

Venezuela. Yes, this is about oil. But it’s not just about oil. 

The people of Venezuela aren’t celebrating because the United States now has better access to oil. They are celebrating because a cruel, evil, communist dictator is finally, finally getting his just deserts. They are celebrating the sweet scent of freedom returning.

In the 1990s, Venezuela was free and among the most prosperous nations of the Western Hemisphere. Then the commies showed up. 

Hugo Chavez was elected in 1998. It has been said that an election can bring a socialist to power, but it takes a war to take him out. That truism held for Venezuela (although Trump’s military intervention was so masterful that it can hardly be described as a “war”).

Under Hugo Chavez, and his successor upon death, Nicolas Maduro, the “Chavistas” reigned terror on the nation, killing, imprisoning, or driving out nearly a third of the residents. Proverbs 29:2 tells us, “When the wicked rule, the people groan,” and Venezuelans now found themselves ruled by wickedness.  

The government “nationalized” whole industries. (“Nationalization” is the word communists use for stealing someone’s entire business. They say the business is now for “the nation.” That’s nonsense. It’s always for wealthy government elites.)

Among these businesses were American businesses, especially oil companies ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, which were operating long-term leases. The socialist government sent armed men to steal the equipment and leases.

Appeals to international arbitration courts were successful but worthless, as Chavez and Maduro refused to pay them. Losses from the theft were in the billions.

The Venezuelan Chavista government aligned with fellow tyrants in China and Russia. Most of that massive oil reserve they captured is sold to China every year. Meanwhile, Russia and Venezuela formed an alliance exerting pressure around the globe to advance their mutual interests.

Those two partnerships ended yesterday.

Now that oil will be controlled by friendly companies, including American companies with legal leases. Our primary geopolitical foe, China, is weakened, while the US is made stronger.

If China chooses to invade Taiwan or provoke another similar conflict that would harm us or our allies, the US is in a stronger position. We can shut off their Venezuelan oil rather than invade with troops. We all prefer this, right? 

Likewise, Russia loses its extensive weapons sales to Venezuela. It also loses political power it had by allying with another major oil producer in the world. This is a move that makes it harder for Putin to wage war in Ukraine and elsewhere, something that we supposedly all agree on.

And we lost no men and no equipment in the effort.

But China and Russia weren’t the only dangerous governments that Maduro aligned with. Venezuela’s Margarita Island served as a training ground for Iran and its Hezbollah terrorist arm. Plus, Maduro also sent an unending supply of illicit drugs into the United States to kill our people and enrich himself.

Do you suppose the leftists protesting in New York, Dallas, and elsewhere yesterday know any of this? No, they don’t. They couldn’t even tell you the capital of Venezuela. They just hate Trump, capitalism, and peace.

Meanwhile, in that capital city of Caracas, the people dance through tears of joy today. Not because the U.S. is about to make money again from oil taxes (which we are), not because this will stabilize the oil market even more (which it is), not because it will benefit our economy (which it will), not even because we are better off when China and Russia aren’t operating next door (which they were), but rather because their vicious tyrant is gone.

The interests of the American people and the interests of the Venezuelan people are not in conflict. They are perfectly aligned.

The U.S. will remain active there until the proper elected officials whom Maduro drove out return and replace his wicked friends in power.

It is a great day in Venezuela, a great day in the United States, and a great day for the Western Hemisphere.

For the tyrants and communists of the world, not such a great day.

Jesus famously told us to pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. As major world events like this take place, it gives us the perfect chance to stay informed, pray with wisdom, and work toward that end as God gives us the ability.