A Letter from Moishe Mana, Our Founder and Chairman, About Recent Activities in Venezuela
My Position on Venezuela and the Future of the Americas
Jan 7, 2026 · 3 Minute Read 
I have not always agreed with President Trump, but his recent actions regarding Venezuela represent a bold and necessary wake-up call for the Western Hemisphere. What matters now are the next steps — whether this moment leads to stability, economic rebuilding, and hemispheric cooperation, or simply another cycle of conflict and fragmentation.
In 2019, I met with Panama’s President Nito Cortizo, who had inherited a major infrastructure agreement signed with China. The project would have effectively created a Chinese economic enclave at the Panama Canal — a strategic gateway that shapes the future of the entire hemisphere. I warned that such a move would inevitably awaken a “sleeping tiger”: the United States would never allow control of the canal or its surrounding ecosystems to shift into the hands of a rival power. The canal is not just Panamanian infrastructure — it is a strategic asset for all of the Americas.
The agreement was ultimately canceled, and the Chinese investment was sold at a steep discount to Western buyers. That episode was part of a broader realization: China now controls a significant share of the world’s mineral reserves and processed critical minerals — a growing economic and security risk for the hemisphere and the world.
Latin America is America. Venezuela is America. The Americas must think and act as one unified region. Allowing foreign powers to control our oil, copper, energy, and mineral resources undermines sovereignty, weakens local industry, and divides the hemisphere.
Since 2014, the Mana Organization has championed a One America vision — including the long-term case for dollarization and deeper economic alignment across Latin America. Partnerships based on dependency, extractive agreements, or alternative reserve currencies only increase instability. Dollarization, when accompanied by institutional rebuilding, opens the door for Western banks to invest, lowers borrowing costs, formalizes economies, and fuels sustainable growth instead of volatility.
Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world, along with vast gold and copper resources. The future of these resources must strengthen the Americas, empower its people, and fuel productive industry — not leave the region dependent on external powers.
Trump’s actions signal that America is finally waking up. If Latin and North America move toward economic integration — representing more than 1.1 billion people and enormous productive capacity — we will build not only one of the world’s strongest economies, but also a more secure and resilient hemisphere for future generations. Our manufacturing capacity should expand in Latin America — not in distant nations that do not share our democratic values or regional destiny.
If the path forward in Venezuela is built on collaboration rather than occupation, empowerment rather than extraction, this moment could mark one of the most important turning points in the history of the Americas. Dollarization, industrial rebuilding, and investment focused on opportunity — not exploitation — will send a powerful message to regional leaders: growth comes from partnership, stability, and dignity.
I am encouraged to see the world taking stronger action against tyranny and corruption — and doing so in a way that protects innocent people instead of punishing entire populations. Sometimes breaking with old rules is necessary — so long as we replace them with better rules, stronger institutions, and a more united hemisphere.
— Moishe Mana
