In a speech filled with nationalist rhetoric and direct challenges to the international community, Nicolás Maduro delivered a forceful message to Venezuelans living abroad, especially those in the United States. “First, save yourselves in the United States, because we know what to do with our homeland, Venezuela,” he said, suggesting that Venezuelans outside the country should not comment on domestic political matters while his government—according to him—maintains full control.
Maduro insisted that his administration has the “moral, political, and historical right” to govern, even citing Abraham Lincoln to legitimize his message. He described Venezuela as “a nation of patriots and heroes,” attempting to reinforce a narrative of resistance in the face of international pressure.
The president asserted that the Chavista movement maintains a solid structure of power on multiple levels. He highlighted the creation of “integral Bolivarian grassroots committees,” presenting them as a new form of popular organization. He also emphasized the “popular–military strength” represented by the Bolivarian Militia and the support of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB), a message intended to project internal cohesion and strength in any crisis scenario.
In one of the most emphatic moments of his speech, Maduro declared that Venezuela would never again be a “colony or slave,” repeating “never, never, never in life” as a reaffirmation of his rejection of foreign influence. “Free, independent, and sovereign, always, always, forever,” he concluded, mixing English and Spanish in a phrase meant to symbolically charge his nationalist stance.
The remarks come amid growing international isolation, accusations of human rights abuses, and external pressure for a democratic transition. Nevertheless, Maduro sought to project an image of strength, insisting that Venezuela “will know how to win the battle for peace and the future” in the months and years ahead.
