Bolivar's Legacy
At the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, thousands of Venezuelans cross daily into Colombia, carrying their belongings in plastic bags or makeshift suitcases. Many walk for days, driven by food shortages, political turmoil, and an economic collapse that has forced over seven million people to flee Venezuela in the past decade. Yet, amid this mass exodus, one figure looms large—Simón Bolívar, the nation’s liberator, whose legacy is now claimed by both the government they flee and the opposition that seeks change.
From murals in Caracas to banners waved by migrants, Bolívar’s image is ever-present. The Venezuelan government, under Nicolás Maduro, invokes his name to justify its policies, framing itself as the protector of Bolívar’s socialist ideals. Statues of the liberator stand tall in government speeches, his likeness adorning military uniforms and state propaganda. The ruling party sees Bolívar as the ultimate revolutionary, a symbol of anti-imperialism and resistance against foreign intervention.
On the other side, Venezuelans seeking refuge in Colombia and beyond also carry Bolívar’s name in their struggle. For them, he represents a betrayed dream—an independent, prosperous South America, free from tyranny. Many in the opposition claim that Bolívar would have stood against the corruption and authoritarianism that now define Venezuela’s leadership. His image appears on banners at protests, in the hands of those demanding free elections and human rights.
In Colombia, Bolívar’s historical ties resonate differently. He led the fight for independence across Latin America, yet today, his name is spoken by both those escaping Venezuela and those defending its government. His legacy, once unifying, is now a battleground—claimed by opposing forces, yet unable to offer refuge to those who need it most.