Many Americans may not realize that Venezuela, once an oil-rich nation, has faced severe challenges leading it to become one of the poorest countries in its region. Carmen María Montiel, a congressional candidate in Texas, recalls a time filled with promise before years of political instability and economic hardship took their toll.
In a recent discussion, Montiel attributed the country’s decline to “socialism and open borders.” At only 19, she was crowned Miss Venezuela in 1984 and was a runner-up in Miss Universe. But long before her pageant success, she noticed troubling signs in Venezuela’s political landscape.
The nation’s democratic structure was overshadowed by two dominant socialist parties. Montiel reflected on the changes: “Illegal immigration surged, crime escalated, and drug problems became rampant.” She lamented the degradation of the healthcare system, once regarded as excellent, providing extensive services thanks to the nation’s wealth. Yet, an undeniable truth remained—no country could sustain growth under such circumstances.
Montiel moved to the U.S. in 1988 to pursue her studies, hoping to aid her home country. However, from afar, she witnessed Hugo Chavez’s attempted coups in 1992, followed by civil unrest.
She believes there’s a direct link from Chavez’s regime to Nicolás Maduro’s grasp on power, marked by corruption, cartel influence, and foreign alliances with nations like Russia and Iran. “Communism is always underfunded,” she stated. “Even in a wealthy country like Venezuela, oil revenue plummeted, leaving only crime in its wake.” In her view, the current regime is fundamentally criminal and communist.
U.S. officials have long alleged that Maduro’s inner circle is tied to drug trafficking, connecting them with the notorious Cartel de los Soles, which smuggles cocaine internationally. Corruption claims against Venezuelan officials persist, although Caracas denies any wrongdoing.
Montiel supports recent U.S. military actions against drug-trafficking networks in Venezuelan waters, arguing these maneuvers are necessary, given the regime’s threat to American security. “Venezuela poses a very high risk to the United States,” she asserted, highlighting issues like drug trafficking that many Venezuelans are fleeing.
In the past two months, U.S. military operations targeted vessels suspected of transporting drugs, tallying up to 14 strikes. Montiel feels breaking down the cartel structure and exposing military collusion is critical for dismantling the regime. “This is a criminal communist regime,” she reiterated, suggesting that the term “communist” should remain front and center in discussions.
With the U.S. tightening its stance, it refuses to acknowledge Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, even offering a reward for information leading to his arrest. Some analysts question whether these military actions serve a more profound goal of regime change.
Public opinion in the U.S. about foreign intervention is, as you could imagine, quite mixed. Yet, Montiel insists many Venezuelans would welcome U.S. involvement. “Those left behind in Venezuela largely support Donald Trump,” she insisted, “and they’re desperately calling out for freedom.”
However, she is realistic about the challenges ahead. “This country is almost destroyed,” Montiel said. “It’s in a worse state than many Third World nations. It may take decades for Venezuela to recover.” Currently, she’s running for Texas’ 18th Congressional District in a special election on November 4, 2025, to fill the Houston seat left vacant by Sylvester Turner’s passing.
