FERNANDO TORRES

With all the news unfolding around Venezuela, I feel compelled to finally express how conflicted I am about the situation.

These are some of the most complicated emotions I’ve ever experienced. On one hand, there is a sense of relief—and even celebration—at the removal of Maduro. His rule has been marked by repression, corruption, and immense suffering. He destroyed a once-prosperous nation and inflicted deep wounds on my people, wounds that will take generations to heal.

At the same time, I struggle to believe that there is a clear, long-term plan for Venezuela. While I welcome Maduro’s removal, it’s impossible to ignore the damage that the Trump administration have caused to over 600,000 Venezuelans living in the United States. That contradiction makes this moment feel both hopeful and unsettling.

My greatest fear lies in what comes next. Maduro may have been the face of the dictatorship, but he was not the only one responsible. Figures like Diosdado Cabello, Delcy Rodríguez, and Jorge Rodríguez remain powerful and dangerous. If they are not removed and held accountable, the cycle of oppression will continue under a different name.

What I hope for—what Venezuela desperately needs—is a real transition plan, supported by international pressure and protection, to allow for free and fair elections. Those who step forward to lead this transition must be protected. Without that safeguard, the country risks falling into chaos, or worse, a devastating civil war.

I celebrate the possibility of change—but I remain cautious. Venezuela has suffered too much to afford another failed transition. I’m praying that the Trump administration truly has a long-term plan for Venezuela—one that prioritizes stability, protection, and democratic freedom.

• Fernando Javier Torres Sánchez is a Venezuelan-born activist and aerospace engineer based in Pennsylvania. Former president of Casa de Venezuela Philadelphia, he played a key role in securing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans in the U.S. Today, he serves on the Pennsylvania Commission on Latino Affairs, advocating for immigrant rights and community empowerment.