Despite President Donald Trump’s vow that America will never be a socialist country, the idea remains popular and positive in the eyes of many Americans. Venezuelan human rights advocate Gustavo Tovar-Arroyo spoke with NTD about his experience of socialism.
"When you listen to some Congresswoman or some presidents candidates, you say 'Wow, wow, the same speech we have in Venezuela,'" Tovar-Arroyo said. "How can this happen in this amazing country?"
Tovar-Arroyo was forced into exile for his documentary recording the rise of Hugo Chávez, the former president of Venezuela.
He said Chavez’s socialist policies brought the once wealthy Latin American country into despair.
"People are dying in the streets," Tovar-Arroyo said. "Our kids is starved to death."
Under Chavez, Venezuela went through a sweeping nationalization of industries, starting with oil, banks, steel, and hotels. Telecoms came later. Social welfare programs took 40 percent of the national GDP.
The government couldn't afford it and responded with money printing and price control. Officials within the system became corrupt.
"I think that the new face of socialism is the combination of drug trafficking, repression, corruption, lies, and repression," Tovar-Arroyo said.
"There is no one, not one single experience where socialism has been successful and it won't be either here in the States. I wish people [would] listen to what I'm saying."