Restoring Sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere: The Venezuela Roundtable

Nov 7, 2025, 9:00AM

On October 29, 2025, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) convened the Venezuela Roundtable, bringing together national security experts, policymakers, democracy advocates, and Venezuelan opposition leaders to confront one of the Western Hemisphere’s most urgent crises — and its most profound opportunity.

For decades, Venezuela has been hijacked by narco-terrorist actors, communist enablers, and a criminal regime propped up by foreign adversaries. But now, with democratic momentum building and the Maduro dictatorship increasingly isolated, the Roundtable posed a critical question: What happens after Venezuela is free — and how can America lead the way?

AFPI’s Western Hemisphere Initiative is grounded in a central truth: Protecting the homeland begins with securing the hemisphere. As the Trump administration reorients American power to counter real threats close to home, Venezuela’s liberation stands as both a moral obligation and a strategic imperative.

Opening Remarks – MELISSA FORD MALDONADO & GREG SINDELAR

Melissa Ford Maldonado emphasized why Venezuela matters to every American. “Venezuela’s freedom is not just a Venezuelan cause. It’s an American cause. Because when tyrants and traffickers take root in our neighborhood, the consequences are felt across this nation.”

Greg Sindelar reinforced the urgency: “Venezuela is no longer just a failed state. It’s a forward operating base for hostile regimes and cartels. That’s why this matters.”

EDMUNDO GONZÁLEZ URRUTIA

Venezuelan President-Elect (in exile)
Joining by video, González declared: “We defeated Maduro at the ballot box — 70% to 30%. The Venezuelan people have spoken. And now, with the support of our Western allies, we are ready to build a free, democratic Venezuela rooted in shared values: freedom, order, and faith.”

CHAD WOLF

Wolf laid out the security stakes: “This isn’t just about Venezuela. It’s about a hemispheric network of chaos — enabled by the Maduro regime and exploited by Iran, China, and Cuba.”

THE VENEZUELAN POLICY TEAM

• David Smolansky: Called the Maduro regime a “narco-terrorist syndicate” and emphasized the role of drug trafficking in destabilizing the region. He praised the Trump administration’s decisive approach and emphasized Venezuela’s democratic DNA and unity.
• Rafael De La Cruz: Presented a pragmatic path to restore institutions, stabilize society, and rebuild the economy.
• Gustavo García: Described how Venezuela could become the “Energy Hub of the Americas” through privatization and pro-investment reforms.

Ambassador OTTO REICH

Reich addressed root causes of authoritarian decline in Latin America, beginning with Cuba. He warned that Marxist regimes gain power by changing the rules: “They get their people in power, change the constitution, and stay forever.”
He linked the Castro-Chávez model to Petro’s agenda in Colombia and warned of coordinated influence efforts, including false narratives circulated in Washington.

RYAN BERG (CSIS) & LILA ABED (Inter-American Dialogue)

• Berg emphasized Venezuela’s geopolitical importance: “Imagine a pro-American Venezuela anchoring the region — that’s strategic deterrence.”
• Abed stressed the long game: “You don’t beat authoritarianism with elections alone. You beat it with unrelenting reform and deep cultural commitment to democratic values.”

Public Dialogue Highlights

A Venezuelan audience member asked how to convey the urgency of Venezuela to Americans who are war-weary. Smolansky outlined key differences: Venezuela has democratic legitimacy, no ethnic or religious divides, and a people still tied to democracy. “This is not Iraq or Afghanistan,” he said. “This is Venezuela — and we’re ready.”

Chad Wolf added: “America First doesn’t mean America alone. A democratic Venezuela free of Iranian, Chinese, and Cuban influence is good for America.”

Another attendee asked about potential next steps by the Trump administration. Wolf and Berg declined to speculate but emphasized optionality: “All options are not just on the table — they’re on the Venezuelan coast.”

MARIA CORINA MACHADO (Virtual)

The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize recipient addressed the roundtable from a secure location inside Venezuela. Her remarks electrified the room.

Machado described Venezuela’s transition as not only possible but inevitable:

“We will have an orderly and successful transition to democracy… and we will bring order to the chaos. The people are ready. We are united. And we know what must be done.”

She described Venezuela’s unique opportunity to go from criminal hub to innovation hub:

“You will see Venezuela turn from the criminal hub of the Americas into the energy and technological engine of the hemisphere.”

She concluded with a promise: “Freedom requires strength. That’s why Venezuela will be free — and I will be honored to host you all in a free Venezuela.”

Closing Remarks – CHAD WOLF

Wolf summed up the summit’s message:

“Today made something clear: the vacuum is closing. The free world is reengaging. And America is once again leading in our own hemisphere.”

He emphasized that freedom in the Americas is inseparable from America’s own security — and that AFPI’s Western Hemisphere Initiative will continue to stand with the Venezuelan people.

The Road Ahead

The Venezuela Roundtable ended with clarity and conviction:

• Venezuela will be free.
• The hemisphere will be secure.
• And American leadership will make it possible.

AFPI stands ready — not just to support Venezuela’s democratic transition, but to restore sovereignty across the Western Hemisphere.