海角大神

The American capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicol谩s Maduro as an alleged fugitive from U.S. justice 鈥� while an impressive military feat 鈥� has opened a vigorous, global debate about its legality. Is unilateral foreign intervention justified when a failing authoritarian state commits atrocities at home and exports drugs and migrants?

Yet for millions of Venezuelans 鈥� joyful over a dictator鈥檚 exit 鈥� the question is less about international law than about their quest for the very basis of law: the freedom of sovereign individuals to choose their government and maintain a shared civic identity.

鈥淭he time has come for popular sovereignty and national sovereignty to prevail in our country,鈥� Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mar铆a Corina Machado declared in a weekend social media post.

鈥淚n a free republic the only sovereign is the people,鈥� she pointed out in a 鈥淔reedom Manifesto鈥� published in November.

鈥淔reedom is not a privilege that is bestowed by a government; rather, it is an inherent right,鈥� the manifesto stated. 鈥淣o regime, political system, or tyranny has the power to rob us of what is divinely ours: the right to live with dignity, speak freely, create, dream, and prosper as individuals.鈥�

As Ms. Machado鈥檚 ally, Edmundo Gonz谩lez Urrutia 鈥� whom the United States and European Parliament recognize as the rightful winner of the country鈥檚 2024 presidential vote 鈥� noted last month, 鈥淭he sovereign mandate of the Venezuelan people in favor of a profound change has already been issued.鈥�

Recognizing the intrinsic dignity and sovereignty of individuals can help both Venezuela and the U.S. better navigate the political uncertainties that lie ahead. Many of the estimated 8 million Venezuelans who have fled the country over the past 12 years or so are hopeful 鈥� but still hesitant about returning. Mr. Maduro鈥檚 deputies and his military officials, who disregarded Mr. Gonz谩lez鈥檚 victory at the polls, have so far shown little sign of ceding power.

And President Donald Trump鈥檚 intention for the U.S. to 鈥渞un the country鈥� until a 鈥渏udicious transition鈥� has sown confusion 鈥� and concern. Writing in The Free Press, former Trump envoy Elliott Abrams questioned whether the U.S. will help Venezuelans recover freedom 鈥渙r try to 鈥榬un鈥� Venezuela with the ... discredited regime.鈥�

In rebuilding its economy, reuniting families, and respecting self-government, the country that produced Latin America鈥檚 first republican constitution in 1811 faces challenges. As its famed independence leader Sim贸n Bol铆var reportedly said, it can be 鈥渉arder to maintain the balance of liberty than to endure the weight of tyranny.鈥�

鈥淔reedom requires moral, spiritual, and physical strength,鈥� Ms. Machado acknowledged in a speech broadcast at a forum in Barcelona, Spain, last October. 鈥淎nd we have it,鈥� she affirmed.