A glimmer of hope for democracy in Venezuela as opponents test the limits of free speech

In Venezuela, political critics are emerging from hiding following the U.S.-backed ouster of President Nicolás Maduro. Andrés Velásquez, a former governor, is among those speaking out after years of self-imposed silence. He recently appeared in videos supporting Maduro's removal and calling for the release of political prisoners. He likened the shift to glasnost, with media outlets reopening to critical voices. However, concerns remain about the true extent of political liberalization, as the repressive state apparatus is still in place. The future of Venezuela's democratic transition remains uncertain.