Last week, the United States led a tactically precise military operation against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicholas Maduro and his wife, transporting them to New York, where they will face narco-terrorism charges.
President Trump praised the total success of the operation. From his perspective, the core issues were clear: drug trafficking, illegal immigration into America by criminals, and oil unjustly taken from American companies.
When Trump warned Maduro to step down, he flatly refused and instead taunted the Presidentโa decision that led to the Venezuelan President’s takedown and arrest.
What followed was a powerful display of jubilation across Venezuela as citizens celebrated their liberation from Maduro, an anti-semitic socialist dictator. People poured into the streets in celebration, toppling his statues and tearing down posters that once symbolized his rule.
This stands as a warning to the West of the destructive consequences of socialism and how that ideology can ruin an entire country.
Not everyone shared in this victory. Some were very critical of Trump, and others were deluded enough in their minds to blame Israel. Yes, that’s right, they blamed Israel, and once again, Candace Owens was leading the charge.
United with Israel reported: “Within minutes, Candace Owens reframed Venezuela’s liberation into an Israel-centric conspiracy, declaring that ‘Zionists cheer every regime change because they steal land, oil, and other resources.'”
“It was a breathtaking pivot,” the group noted. “A dictator falls, and somehow the villain is Israel. Not corruption, not tyranny, not the architects of a failed socialist experiment, but ISRAEL!”
Candace was not alone. According to United for Israel, “Cenk Uygur [a Turkish American political activist] jumped on the same bandwagon, arguing that Donald Trump was ‘acting like Hillary Clinton at her neocon peak,’ accusing the administration of ‘bombing all over the planet (Nigeria, Somalia, Venezuela)’ and sneering, ‘Why do we have to fight all of Israel’s wars?'”
“The message was unmistakable,” they underscored. “If America confronts authoritarianism, Israel must be pulling the strings. This reflex is as old as it is ugly. When dictators fall, and democracies act, blame Israel. When protesters rise, blame Zionists. When facts get inconvenient, reach for the dog whistle. It is predictable, and it is poisonous.”
“Let’s be clear about what actually happened,” the group continued. “Venezuela did not implode because of Israel. It collapsed under the weight of its own corruption, brutality, and economic malpractice lewd by Maduro.”
Friends, it is a tragedy to see what happened in Venezuela. I am thankful to President Trump for his boldness to liberate the Venezuelan people from the grips of Maduro and his socialist mindsetโa mindset that plunged Venezuela into poverty.
What does God have to say about all of this?
We can learn from Isaiah 10:1-2. The prophet, primarily prophesying to the southern kingdom of Judah, says: “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people…”
Venezuela was once a thriving and tremendously wealthy country with world-leading oil reserves. Yet, look at the outcome. It is startling what foolish leaders can do in a very short period of time.
Another verse that comes to mind is Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
Don’t put the blame on Israel. Place it where it belongsโon Chavez and his successor, Maduro. This is another warning to the West. Elections matter, and their consequences are real. The people of Venezuela have learned this lesson through painful experience.
Thanks to President Trump, the people of Venezuela hopefully have a second chance to elect someone who truly cares about them. Let’s pray that that will be the outcome.
It’s time for the West to wake up, and we as believers should be praying earnestly for our elections and leaders so that we do not repeat the same errors. The direction we are currently heading, especially in Western countries such as my nation of Canada, is deeply concerning.
As for Israel… stop making her the scapegoat for the world’s problems! Doing so reflects ignorance and fuels anti-semitism. Scripture reminds us that all people will one day give an account before the God of Israel for how they treated His chosen people and nationโand that is something not to be taken lightly.
