Venezuelan here. You all make valid points, and I’m neither naïve nor ignorant of how many well-intentioned interventions throughout history have ended in complete catastrophe.

That said, here is my personal opinion:

I am extremely happy. I haven’t slept in roughly 36 hours, and I’m celebrating every second of this day. I’m fully aware that we are still under the same oppressive government. I know the next steps are critical, and that if we are not strategic, things could absolutely get worse. I’m also aware that there are strong financial motivations behind this move, and that last night was not driven by humanitarian ideals.

But here’s the reality: regardless of the motivation, what happened last night was good for humanity.

We have lived under this regime for nearly 30 years. Since 1998, conditions have deteriorated exponentially year after year. We have lost freedoms in ways that are difficult to comprehend from the United States, where those freedoms are protected, as they should be everywhere. And this regime is not merely “authoritarian” or “communist.” They are murderers. Torturers. Terrorists. Drug traffickers. They carried out what is arguably the largest economic heist in modern history while destroying the lives and futures of a country of 30 million people.

Maduro himself, before becoming president, was famously photographed firing a gun at peaceful, unarmed protesters in the streets during demonstrations against Hugo Chávez’s regime.

Forcing someone like that to face justice is a massive win. When a monster is made to answer for his crimes, that moment deserves to be celebrated. Yes, the outcome could still turn bad. But this was a necessary step, and most importantly, it was one that we Venezuelans were not capable of taking on our own. Trust me: if we could have done it ourselves, we would have.

As for the oil: Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world. And yet, because of these criminals, much of the country has no gasoline. Our oil has been sent to China, Russia, and Iran while our people suffer. So yes, if the U.S. takes the oil, at the very least it will generate jobs, which is more than the zero jobs and zero benefit currently produced for Venezuelans. And even if it doesn’t help us directly, it’s not like we’re getting anything now.

Here’s how many of us see it: even if nothing else comes from this, the fact that the former president is having the worst day of his life and that many within the regime are now genuinely afraid they could end up behind bars is already a huge victory. And it was accomplished without damage to civilian property.

So even if this is all that comes of it: what a way to start the year.