By Lennox Lamb: I write to the Belizean public from a position that is both personal and informed. I lived and studied in Venezuela, and through that experience I observed—firsthand—the deep love Venezuelans have for their country, their constitution, and their historical mission. The Venezuelan people do not merely reference the ideas of Simón Bolívar as symbolism; they actively understand and embrace the Bolivarian spirit as a living principle—one rooted in sovereignty, popular will, and resistance to external domination. That spirit, they believe, is not confined to Venezuela alone, but belongs to all peoples who struggle for dignity and self-determination across the Americas.
This commitment was formalized in 1999, when Venezuela adopted its current Constitution following a national referendum in which approximately 71.8% of voters approved the new constitutional order. The country was officially renamed the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, deliberately anchoring modern governance to historical purpose. Article 12 of that Constitution explicitly establishes that all oil, gas, and mineral resources belong to the Venezuelan state and people, placing national wealth under collective ownership rather than foreign or private control. This was not accidental policy—it was philosophical continuity.
That philosophy has deep roots that extend beyond Venezuela.
Bolívar, Miranda, and Washington: A Shared American Vision
Long before modern political divisions, the independence movements of the Americas were intellectually connected. Francisco de Miranda—often referred to as the Precursor—traveled extensively throughout Europe and North America and was deeply influenced by the American Revolutionary experiment. Miranda spent time in the United States and met with George Washington, studying the structure of the newly formed republic and its resistance to imperial authority.
Miranda passed these ideas to a younger Simón Bolívar, who openly admired the American independence process. Bolívar respected George Washington not as an empire builder, but as a leader who voluntarily relinquished power, understood the dangers of centralized authority, and trusted the will of the people over permanent strongmen. Bolívar repeatedly warned that Latin America must avoid replacing colonial monarchs with domestic tyrants—a warning that continues to shape Venezuelan political consciousness.
What united Washington, Miranda, and Bolívar was not geography, but principle: opposition to imperial control, commitment to republican government, belief in limited and accountable leadership, and faith in the sovereignty of the people.
Understanding this history matters. Speaking in defense of Venezuelan self-determination is not speaking against the American people. On the contrary, it is speaking in defense of the very principles upon which the United States itself was founded.
Venezuela and Belize: A Record of Solidarity
These principles translated into action. During the late 1970s, under President Carlos Andrés Pérez, Venezuela emerged as one of the strongest regional supporters of Belize’s independence. In 1977, Pérez raised Belize’s situation directly with the United States government, urging diplomatic pressure against Guatemala’s territorial claims. Venezuela made clear that Belize had the right to exist as a sovereign state and signaled its readiness to support Belize should its independence be threatened.
This support was not transactional. It was ideological. Venezuela viewed Belize’s independence as part of the same hemispheric struggle against imposed authority and external domination.
Hugo Chávez and the Cost of Regional Leadership
That philosophy re-emerged decades later under President Hugo Chávez. Chávez believed Venezuela’s responsibility extended beyond its borders—to the Caribbean, Central America, and the wider Global South. Through initiatives such as PetroCaribe, ALBA, and CELAC, Venezuela sought to build regional partnerships based on cooperation rather than dependency, development rather than domination.
The economic hardships Venezuela faces today cannot be understood without acknowledging the cost of that stance. Sanctions, financial isolation, and economic pressure were imposed not merely because of internal governance disputes, but because Venezuela insisted that its resources—and its political direction—belonged to its people. Despite these pressures, Venezuela never abandoned the region.
A Changing World, A Consistent Principle
The modern world is more informed and interconnected. Ordinary citizens increasingly reject war, coercion, and regime imposition as tools of international order. Diplomacy, integration, and mutual respect now represent the global aspiration—even if governments sometimes lag behind their people.
From my experience, Venezuelans—regardless of their views on any individual leader—remain united on one fundamental point: their existence, economy, and resources must never be dictated by external powers. That position is not radical. It is democratic. And it is entirely consistent with the ideals championed by Bolívar, Miranda, and Washington alike.
Why This Matters for Belize
As Belizeans, we must never lose sight of our place in this shared American story. Venezuela stood with us when our sovereignty was uncertain. The principles it defends today are the same principles that secured our independence yesterday.
Supporting the Venezuelan people is not about endorsing personalities or political narratives. It is about honoring history, defending self-determination, and recognizing that brotherhood in the Americas requires mutual defense of dignity and sovereignty—or none of us truly stand free.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author, Lennox Lamb, and do not necessarily reflect the views or editorial stance of Breaking Belize News.
The post The Bolivarian Connection: Venezuela, Belize, and the Shared American Struggle for Self-Determination appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Lennox Lamb: I write to the Belizean public from a position that is both personal and informed. I lived and studied in Venezuela, and through that experience I observed—firsthand—the deep love Venezuelans have for their country, their constitution, and their historical mission. The Venezuelan people do not merely reference the ideas of Simón Bolívar
The post The Bolivarian Connection: Venezuela, Belize, and the Shared American Struggle for Self-Determination appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
