One cannot appreciate what one cannot remember. In the case of Venezuela, memories of national greatness have been overshadowed by those of national tragedy. The effects this has on perceptions of progress are evidenced in the Venezuela se Arregló debacle, and to understand Venezuela today, this trend cannot be overlooked.

Juan P. Villasmil “J.P. Ballard” is a commentator and analyst who often writes about American culture, foreign policy, and political philosophy. He has been featured in The American Spectator, The National Interest, The Wall Street Journal, International Policy Digest, Fox News, Telemundo, MSNBC, and others.

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