MANUEL ROSALES IS THE GUY

Thanks to my friend Marlon Uribe for his collaboration

in the preparation of this article.

Mr. President Donald Trump,

This article is a personal reflection I have undertaken in light of the guidance exercised by your administration regarding Venezuela, and with consideration for the current stage of events as well as the two stages that will follow.

I must begin with the fundamentals. I am from Zulia, and I was once a member of a Social Democratic Party in that state. I am no longer a Social Democrat. I do not know Mr. Manuel Rosales personally; I have seen him, but I have never interacted with him directly. I have, however, engaged on several occasions with individuals from his political party. I do not work for him or for his party, Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT), and in fact, I have repeatedly expressed my personal dislike for him. Nevertheless, Mr. Rosales possesses several qualities that many others lack.

First, he does not consider himself infallible. He maintains a large group of advisors with whom he communicates effectively and whose counsel he values.

Second, he is a man of the left, which does not make him incompatible with Chavismo. He was a member of Acción Democrática, one of the most influential political parties in Venezuela.

Third, he is a man with extensive experience and a deep understanding of Venezuela’s political, economic, and social realities. He is not detached from the country’s circumstances, nor does he exhibit the elitist attitude often associated with representatives of the Caracas establishment.

Fourth, not having been born in the capital of Zulia, his perception of power is not distorted by outdated notions of declining social classes. He is a simple man, free from the capital‑city mentality that leads some to believe they are superior to those born elsewhere.

Fifth, he has not lost his connection with the people. He frequently visits communities throughout Zulia, always accompanied by members of his large team. At his core, he remains a man of the people.

Sixth, he maintains good relations with all sectors. He has cultivated strong ties with Chavismo—both at the regional level in Zulia and at the national level. He has engaged with radical groups, which he has not prosecuted, and he has established indirect channels of communication with the emerging Venezuelan resistance.

Seventh, he is a founding member of the “Grupo de los Cuatro” (G4), the central axis of the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD). He maintains political ties with the other parties in that coalition: Primero Justicia, Voluntad Popular, and Acción Democrática. I assume he also has some level of contact with individuals associated with María Corina Machado, who represents economic groups in Caracas that have historically maintained proximity to Chavismo.

Eighth, he is close to Enrique Márquez, who served as his representative and held leadership roles within his political party.

Ninth, he leads a regional political party—Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT)—with national reach and alliances with other organizations, enabling him to exert influence at the national level when required.

Tenth, he served as Mayor of Maracaibo and Governor of Zulia State, achieving a highly positive record in economic and social matters. This reinforces his experience and his understanding of both regional and national dynamics.

One of Mr. Rosales’s shortcomings may be a tendency toward sectarianism—managing political affairs primarily through the lens of his own interests and those of his party. This is not unlike the behavior of many Venezuelan politicians, and it is a flaw that can be mitigated with proper support.

According to information circulated publicly, Representative Nora Bracho, from Zulia, has been contacted to address certain matters. Representative Bracho is a politically skilled figure and is very close to Mr. Rosales.

While it is true that he treats Zulia as his political stronghold, it is equally true that he is one of the individuals best suited for the scenarios that Venezuela will face in the coming stages. His qualifications place him in a position of significant relevance.

In closing, I extend my sincere gratitude, Mr. President, for your efforts regarding Venezuela.

IN GOD I TRUST

Alexander Acosta Guerra
Venezuelan political activist, in exile

Barranquilla, April 5, 2026 — Easter Sunday, 1:51 p.m.

Translated using Google Translate; translation reviewed by Microsoft Copilot.