By Trendsetter Tribune 
In the aftermath of the U.S. raid that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is urging Americans to look beyond the headlines.
In a recent op-ed, Paul condemned Maduro’s brutal regime — but warned that the moment shouldn’t be viewed simply as a win. Instead, he argued, the collapse of Venezuela should serve as a sobering lesson about the dangers of centralized power and socialism.
Paul wrote that few will mourn Maduro’s removal, but insisted that what happened in Venezuela is not just about one corrupt leader. According to him, it’s about a system that inevitably leans toward force.
He argued that socialism, even when marketed as compassionate or modern, eventually depends on state-sponsored coercion. To illustrate his point, Paul contrasted the regime’s military pageantry with the harsh reality everyday Venezuelans faced — stories of hunger, desperation, and citizens fighting over scraps.
A Warning for Young Americans
Paul also shifted the conversation back home.
Citing polling showing rising support for socialism among young Americans, he blamed what he sees as a “romanticized” version of history being taught in schools. He warned that promises of free benefits can slowly erode personal liberty, even when packaged as fairness or equality.
Freedom, he argued, is harder to sell — because it doesn’t come wrapped in instant rewards.
Raising Constitutional Concerns
Despite opposing Maduro, Paul criticized how the operation to remove him reportedly happened.
A longtime critic of unchecked executive power, he warned against allowing presidents to engage in military actions without Congress. While many may approve of the outcome, he argued, allowing unilateral action sets a dangerous precedent that history shows can lead to long, costly conflicts.
Paul closed by expressing hope that Venezuelans will get a second chance — while reminding Americans of the founders’ intent: limit power, especially when it comes to war.