Nicolás Maduro has been detained by the USA

For Venezuela, this is the moment where history stops being a tale of decline and starts being a question about the future.

This country was once one of the wealthiest in the world. Not just in Latin America—in the world. Europeans came to Caracas for work, stability, and a chance for a better life. A real middle class existed, institutions functioned, and the state had the ambition to be part of the West.

The Warning of Baruj Benacerraf

One of the most prominent Venezuelans, Nobel Prize laureate in Medicine Baruj Benacerraf, warned that natural wealth does not replace institutions. He stated plainly that oil without the rule of law acts like a drug—it provides euphoria, then leads to addiction and destroys the capacity for rational thought. The history of Venezuela has brutally confirmed this.

The Illusion and the Fall

First, the illusion appeared that oil money would solve everything. Then came nationalization, centralization, and the politics of redistribution. When the elites lost their credibility, society turned to populists promising dignity, revenge, and quick answers to complex problems.

María Corina Machado, the leader of the democratic opposition and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, said it clearly:

"This is not an ordinary dictatorship. It is a complex criminal structure that has turned Venezuela into a state of impunity."

She added:

"All that remains for this regime is terror—maintained through fear, political prisoners, and a lack of accountability."

The Mechanics of Populism

Populism always begins with emotion. It ends with the dismantling of institutions.

• Price controls destroyed production.

• Currency controls created a black market.

• Competence was replaced by loyalty.

When oil prices dropped, there was no Plan B—only the printing of money, fear, and the emigration of millions of people.

A Lesson for the World (and for Poland)

This is not just a lesson for Venezuela. It is a lesson for us as well. Attempts to dismantle institutions in Poland have occurred more than once and—more importantly—are still being tested. They always appear under the same slogans: "the people want it," "we must accelerate," or "institutions are in the way." History shows that this is the beginning of a very dangerous path.

Populism destroys countries not because it is loud, but because it recognizes no limits to power. It treats courts, media, the market, and the law as enemies. And power without brakes always ends the same way—regardless of geography.

The Road Ahead

Today, Venezuela stands before a rare opportunity. A return to normalcy does not mean a miracle. It means the arduous rebuilding of institutions, trust, and responsibility. This is a process for years, perhaps for a generation.

Wealth does not protect against collapse. Only good institutions, responsible leadership, and the courage to speak the truth before it is too late can provide protection.