ORI

@usembassyve Dear Ambassador Barrett, My name is Jesus Daniel Romero. I am an American by birth, born to a Venezuelan father and an American mother. I proudly served the United States for more than 22 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Naval Intelligence Officer. I later served an additional 15 years as an Intelligence Operations Specialist with the Department of the Army, retiring from federal service in 2022. Throughout my career, I also served our nation overseas in several Latin American countries in diplomatic assignments supporting the Department of Defense and advancing United States national security interests and foreign policy objectives. The values of the United States—freedom, justice, human dignity, and the rule of law—are not simply ideals to me. They are principles I have defended throughout my military and civilian service. Like many others, I listened carefully to your recent interview. I must tell you that I was deeply disappointed by your comments. They stand in stark contrast to the values that I have spent my life serving and defending. A relationship with any government should never come at the expense of moral clarity, particularly when dealing with a regime that has been widely criticized for its human rights record. At a time when the Venezuelan people are suffering the consequences of a devastating natural disaster, your remarks were perceived by many as unnecessarily sympathetic toward those in power rather than toward the victims. Whether intended or not, words matter. Public statements by an American ambassador carry tremendous weight, especially during moments of crisis. History often remembers not only the decisions public officials make, but also the words they choose when people are looking for leadership, compassion, and moral clarity. I have been unable to find anyone who publicly supports or agrees with your comments. On the contrary, the overwhelming public reaction has been one of disappointment, disbelief, and concern. That alone should give pause and invite reflection. I respectfully ask you to consider the impact your words have had on countless Venezuelans, including many who have long looked to the United States as a beacon of freedom, justice, and hope. During a moment of profound human suffering, many expected empathy and moral clarity from the representative of the United States. Unfortunately, your remarks conveyed something very different. As someone who has devoted nearly four decades to serving this nation in uniform, in intelligence, and in diplomatic assignments abroad, I felt compelled to express my profound disappointment. Public service is ultimately measured not only by the offices we hold, but by the principles we uphold when they are tested the most. Respectfully, Jesus Daniel Romero LCDR, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Intelligence Operations Specialist, Department of the Army (Ret.)