On July 6, Russia Today headlined ” ‘Free from imperial persecution:’ Venezuela offers Snowden asylum.”
Days earlier, President Nicolas Maduro said asylum would be “seriously” considered if sought. Snowden deserves a “humanitarian medal,” he added.
“If this young man is punished, nobody in the world will ever dare to tell the truth,” he stressed.
He’s a man of his word. It’s official. Maduro granted Snowden asylum. He did so on Venezuela’s Day of Independence.
On April 10, 1810, the First Republic of Venezuela was established. Venezuela’s War of Independence began.
On July 5, 1811, Venezuela declared independence. Spanish colonial rule ended.
Venezuela was its first American colony to break free. Doing so reflected Bolivar’s vision. He liberated half of South America. He advocated using national wealth responsibly, equitably and fairly.
He fought against what he called the imperial curse “to plague Latin America with misery in the name of liberty.”