I know most of my audience is american and that most of you do feel strongly negative about the actions of the US army on Venezuela. I can get that. I have investigated, watched many video essays, read wikipedias and a lot more about American history and war crimes.
*I* don't really like your government. Neither from the right side or the left side, the truth is, I know your whole political space is corrupt and evil as shit. I am wary and skeptical about Trump's new actions on Venezuela now.
With all that being said, let me just give you the most honest opinion from a venezuelan, straight from my life experiences.
Throughout my whole life, I have lived under the corrupt government of Chavez, as I was just a baby when he rose to power (after trying to take over violently, might I add). Everyday things quickly became more and more expensive. What once could cost (to give you an example) 5$, now was 10, then 20, then 50, then oh wow it's 150$, and so on. I remember scary nights where one of my cousins would come in sweating and cursing because he had been stolen by thugs Chavez himself gave weapons to, while keeping the public unarmed. I have been robbed or attempted to many times, one occasion I even had someone hold a gun, other time i almost lost someone who tried to protect me against a guy with a machete that wanted my fucking phone. I saw businesses go broke, bakeries selling little snacks and whatever they could sell, anything but bread... Ive seen people eat out of trash bags, even to this day. Old people, women, kids. I've seen my government abandon their sick children, kids with special needs or problems. Leaving them without education or health care, even tho it claims it's at least free. I grew up thinking the same thing every other kid thought, "the only option I have, is outside". Why do you think I only just started posting my work in Spanish? The very first day I began my career as a furry artist I knew there was no business in Venezuela, I had to cater to English speakers. Always telling myself "if I ever publish a comic, it'll have to be overseas". And you can change the artist profession for whatever other one you can think of, and understand what it felt like to grow up here. I've watched mothers cry over their kidnapped or killed children, I've seen the ones who tried to fight back be murdered in cold blood, right in front of me a couple of times. I was thrown tear gas when I was just 6 years old with my mother during one march against Chavez that happened in front of my home.
So for the love of god Americans. At least for now, ignore the left, ignore the right. And feel like the rightful heroes that you are. Even if it all comes to bite us back, which it will hopefully not, right now, the euphoria, the hope, the happiness, the feeling of justice, that we are all feeling in Venezuela goes far beyond whatever politic bullshit you can have.
So do not feel sorry, do not hate or curse at your army -at least not for now- for they are doing what so many defenseless kids gave their lifes for. Freeing Venezuela from an illegitimate, cruel, violent and corrupt regime that began with Chavez, and will die with maduro.
With tears of happiness and hope, I can only say:
VIVA. VENEZUELA. LIBRE.
