At Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, we believe faith calls us to pay attention, not only to what happens here at home, but to the struggles and hopes of our global neighbors. As headlines once again turn toward Venezuela and the United States’ involvement in its affairs, we are reminded that history matters.

For many in the broader Latine community, U.S. policy in Latin America isn’t abstract, it is woven into family stories, migration journeys, and cultural memory. Colonialism, corporate extraction, coups, and displacement have shaped how generations understand power, belonging, and safety.

To engage thoughtfully and faithfully in conversations about Venezuela and Latin America, it’s important to learn from those who tell the story from within. Below are a few powerful books recommended by our Advocacy Director to deepen understanding, spark discussion, and ground our advocacy in truth.

Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent — Eduardo Galeano
A classic work of Latin American resistance literature, Galeano’s book traces the history of colonialism, imperialism, and economic exploitation in Latin America from the arrival of European conquistadors through the 20th century. It argues that Latin America’s wealth was systematically extracted by foreign powers — first European, then increasingly U.S. economic and political influence — and that this legacy shaped persistent underdevelopment across the region. The narrative blends history and political critique, centering themes of dependency, resource extraction, and resistance.

 America, América: A New History of the New World — Greg Grandin (2025)
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Greg Grandin reframes the history of the Western Hemisphere through the prism of North–South relations over five centuries. Instead of telling U.S. history primarily as having “looked east” toward Europe, Grandin demonstrates how the nation’s identity and policies were shaped in profound engagement with Latin America — from early independence struggles through the Monroe Doctrine, coups, revolutions, and interventions. The book situates U.S. power and interventionism (including economic and military actions) within a larger hemispheric narrative that foregrounds Latin American agency, resistance, and influence on global institutions. 

 Defectors: The Rise of the Latino Far Right and What It Means for America — Paola Ramos
Journalist Paola Ramos explores contemporary U.S. politics by examining the rise of far-right ideology within segments of the Latine community. Through in-depth reporting and personal narrative, Defectors looks at how historical legacies of colonialism, political trauma, identity, and cultural narratives shape voting behavior and political alignment today. It connects the historical weight of colonialism and political trauma in Latin American histories to present-day U.S. political dynamics involving Latine communities. 

The above links point to Amazon merely for reference; this is not an endorsement, and as always, please shop local first at bookstores or libraries when possible.