The presence of U.S. Navy ships off the coast of Venezuela gives many of us hope for change—but no one knows what kind of change it will bring. For ordinary Venezuelans, the struggle is not about geopolitics, but about survival: food on the table, medicine, schools, and safety for our children.
This is the tragedy of Venezuela today. A nation blessed with extraordinary wealth has been plundered by a few, leaving millions in suffering. More than 8 million Venezuelans have left their homeland, most of them hardworking people—teachers, engineers, builders, mothers, fathers—seeking only a better future for their children.
No country has taken in more Venezuelans than Colombia. Medellín, a stunning city nestled in the mountains, is one of many that has opened its arms despite its own poverty. The generosity of Colombians is a testament to their compassion.
Last night, sitting on a bench in front of an emerald museum, a mother and her daughter approached me asking for food. They had arrived from Caracas just a few days earlier after a 32-hour bus ride. They sold their few belongings, their money ran out, and their hope was quickly fading.
Juana (not her real name) shared her story. After saving for years and investing in a government housing project, she saw the project collapse and the official disappear with the deposits. With no family and no future in sight, she made the painful decision to leave.
“Don’t you think freedom will come soon?” I asked her. Her weary response pierced me: “I just got tired of waiting.”
The paradox was overwhelming. Behind glass, emeralds worth tens of thousands of dollars sparkled under the watchful eye of armed guards. Outside, a mother and her daughter cried, begging for food.
We prayed together. Then we calculated how much it would cost for her family to return home: $300. With tears in her eyes, she acknowledged that leaving had been a mistake and wanted to return. I gave her everything I had—$300. Hope shone in her eyes again as she said, “You’re right. We must return tomorrow.”
That night, as emeralds sparkled in shop windows, I saw another kind of treasure: the unbreakable strength of a mother determined to protect her children.
This is the true story of the Venezuelan tragedy. It is not about numbers or politics, but human faces—millions of them—seeking dignity, security, and hope for tomorrow.
