I send you the greeting of Peace and Goodness — something humanity and the peoples living in poverty, conflict, war, and hunger need so deeply. This open letter is meant to share with you some reflections.

I was surprised by your designation as Nobel Peace Prize laureate, awarded by the Nobel Committee. It brought to mind the struggles against the dictatorships across our continent and in my own country — military dictatorships we endured from 1976 to 1983. We resisted prisons, torture, and exile, with thousands of disappeared people, kidnapped and vanished children, and the death flights — of which I am a survivor.

In 1980, the Nobel Committee awarded me the Nobel Peace Prize. Forty-five years have passed, and we continue working in service of the poorest and alongside the peoples of Latin America. I accepted that distinction in their name — not for the prize itself, but as a commitment shared with those peoples in their struggles and hopes to build a new dawn. Peace is built day by day, and we must be coherent between what we say and what we do.

At 94 years old, I remain a learner of life, and I am concerned about your social and political stance and decisions. For that reason, I send you these reflections.

The Venezuelan government is a democracy with its lights and shadows. Hugo Chávez marked the path of freedom and sovereignty for the people and fought for continental unity — a true awakening of the Patria Grande. The United States constantly attacked him; it cannot allow any country in the continent to escape its orbit and colonial dependency. The blockade imposed on Cuba for more than 60 years is an attack on the freedom and rights of peoples. The resistance of the Cuban people is an example of dignity and strength.

I am surprised by your attachment to the United States. You must know that it has no allies or friends — only interests. The dictatorships imposed in Latin America were orchestrated to serve U.S. domination, destroying the social, cultural, and political fabric of peoples striving for freedom and self-determination. Our peoples resist and fight for the right to be free and sovereign — not colonies of the United States.

The government of Nicolás Maduro lives under the threat of the United States and its blockade — just look at the U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean and the danger of an invasion of your country. You have not said a word, or perhaps you support the interference of the great power against Venezuela. The Venezuelan people are ready to face that threat.

Corina, I ask you: why did you call on the United States to invade Venezuela? Upon receiving the announcement of your Nobel Peace Prize, you dedicated it to Trump — the aggressor of your own country, the one who lies and accuses Venezuela of being a narco-state, a lie similar to that of George Bush, who accused Saddam Hussein of having “weapons of mass destruction.” That pretext served to invade Iraq, plunder it, and cause thousands of victims — women and children. I was in Baghdad at the end of that war, in a pediatric hospital, and I witnessed the destruction and death caused by those who proclaim themselves defenders of freedom. The worst form of violence is the lie.

Do not forget, Corina, that Panama was invaded by the United States, bringing death and destruction just to capture a former ally, General Noriega. That invasion left 1,200 dead in Los Chorrillos. Today, the United States seeks once again to take control of the Panama Canal. It is a long history of interventions and suffering inflicted upon Latin America and the world by the United States. The veins of Latin America remain open, as Eduardo Galeano wrote.

I am troubled that you did not dedicate your Nobel Prize to your people, but rather to the aggressor of Venezuela. I believe, Corina, that you must reflect and understand where you stand: are you another instrument of U.S. colonial domination, submitting to its interests — something that can never serve the well-being of your people?

As an opponent of Maduro’s government, your positions and choices generate deep uncertainty. You resort to the worst when you call for the U.S. to invade Venezuela.
It is crucial to understand that building peace requires great strength and courage for the good of your people — a people I know and deeply love. Where once there were shantytowns in the hills, surviving in poverty and destitution, there are now dignified homes, healthcare, education, and culture. The dignity of the people cannot be bought or sold.

Corina, as the poet says: “Traveler, there is no path — the path is made by walking.”
Now you have the chance to work for your people and to build peace — not to provoke greater violence. One evil cannot be cured by another, for then we will have two evils and no solution to the conflict.

Open your mind and heart to dialogue, to meeting your people. Empty the pitcher of violence and build the peace and unity of your people, so that the light of freedom and equality may enter.