From 1825 to 2026: Defending Peace, Bolívar's Strategy to Win

Published at: 24/04/2026 05:00 PM

“I don't have the slightest problem taking the lead in a negotiation that will paralyze the fury of the French people at this time. Even if I sacrifice my popularity and my glory, I want to save Colombia from extermination in this new war. If I go well, I'll be happy, and if I go wrong, too, because I'll have taken the last step of salvation.” Simon Bolivar, March 11, 1825.

This paragraph is an extract from a letter written by Bolívar to Santander from Lima, and is a key document in which the Liberator expresses his deep concern about threats from France and the Holy Alliance; a treaty Political-military signed in 1815 after the defeat of Napoleon by Tsar Alexander I of Russia, Emperor Francis I of Austria and King Frederick William III of Prussia, against American independence.

Comparing the words of Simón Bolívar in 1825 with the events experienced in Venezuela since January 3, 2026, it is necessary to analyze the geopolitics of sovereignty and the use of Bolivarian thought in the contemporary political narrative. Next, we make an analogy exercise with respect to this letter and the current Venezuelan situation:

The External Threat and the Narrative of Resistance

In 1825, Bolívar wrote to Santander alerted by reports of the Holy Alliance and the French Navy near the Venezuelan coast. His priority was to protect the newly-won independence in Ayacucho against possible extermination by European powers. Bolívar mentions reports from General Páez about the approach of French maritime forces to Venezuela. He warns that, if the victory in Ayacucho does not stop France, it must prepare for a “brilliant” but costly war.

Today, the Venezuelan government uses similar rhetoric, frequently citing the Liberator to denounce imperialist attacks by the United States . The defense of sovereignty remains the central axis of the official discourse, presenting international sanctions and pressures as the modern version of the Holy Alliance.

Peace Diplomacy vs. Confrontation

Bolívar showed a pragmatic statesman's side. Although willing to go to war, he preferred negotiation to paralyze French anger. He proposed an alliance with England and North America and saw the Congress of Panama as the key to continental security. He proposes to enter into negotiations to paralyze French intentions, stressing that “we must know how to lose at the beginning to know how to win later”.

While Bolívar sought alliances with the Anglo-Saxon powers of the 19th century to balance Europe, Venezuela's current politics has shifted toward alliances with powers such as Russia, China and Iran to counter U.S. influence and Europe.

Personal Sacrifice and Popularity

Bolívar said he was willing to sacrifice his “popularity and glory” in order to save Colombia from war, and he said he is willing to sacrifice his popularity and glory to save his country from extinction. He stated that: “Even if I sacrifice my popularity and my glory, I want to save Colombia from extermination in this new war.” It is a declaration of maximum responsibility for the well-being of the People over personal image.

There is a profound debate on this point. The Bolivarian Government maintains that staying in power is an act of resistance to save the Homeland, defend life and national peace. On this point, the opposition and international critics argue that the nation must be surrendered to guarantee resources to the American power without any shame.

Aspect	Vision of Bolivar (1825)	Current Situation (21st Century)
Main enemy	European monarchies (Holy Alliance).	American Empire and Economic Blockade.
Strategy	Peace diplomacy and alliances with England/USA.	Peace diplomacy and alliances with Russia, China and Iran.
Objective	Preventing the extermination of the nascent nation	Defend the Bolivarian Revolution.
Leadership	Willingness to give glory for peace.	Consolidating peace and political legitimacy

This letter from Simon Bolivar to Francisco de Paula Santander, dated March 11, 1825 in Lima, is a fundamental document for understanding the Liberator's strategic and diplomatic vision. Its content resonates strongly in the current context of Venezuela, especially on issues of sovereignty, international alliances and the search for peace.

By contrasting these ideas with contemporary Venezuelan reality, reflections arise on the validity of Bolivarian thought:

First, the Defense of Sovereignty before External Blocs, which, just as Bolívar recognized the reach of the Holy Alliance, the current discourse in Venezuela emphasizes resistance to pressure due to the economic blockade and international sanctions . The letter recalls that independence is a continuous process that requires constant vigilance against foreign powers.

Second, Negotiation as a Political Tool, we see Bolívar's willingness to “negotiate to avoid extermination” offers a historic lesson in pragmatism. In a Venezuela marked by polarization, reflection on prioritizing peace and the survival of the State over personal glory or partisan interests is becoming important.

Third, Regional Integration and the emphasis on the Congress of Panama underline that the strength of Latin American nations lies in their union. For today's Venezuela, it invites us to rethink regional integration mechanisms as shields against economic or political crises.

And finally, the Ethics of Power and Education, which, in communications close to this date, Bolívar also recalled that “an uneducated man is an incomplete being” and that the ignorant is prone to servitude. This suggests that the real freedom of Venezuelans today depends both on political stability and on citizen formation.

This letter shows a moment of geopolitical climax and personal transition for the Liberator. After the definitive victory in Ayacucho (December 1824), Bolívar no longer thought only as a general in the campaign, but as an architect of nations concerned with the survival of independence in the face of global threats; and that is where, from those teachings, we Venezuelans come from.

https://archivodellibertador.gob.ve/archlib/web/index.php/site/documento?id=9257

AMELYREN BASABE/Mazo News Team