Juan Romero - Freedom, Energy, and the Fight for the Future

In this episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, Russell Dryer takes the lead as Chairman Todd McCollum is out on special assignment. He is joined by David Gehring as his second chair as they welcome Venezuelan commentator, Juan Romero. The conversation centers on Venezuela’s long slide into socialism under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, the impact of Cuba and other foreign actors, and the real-world consequences of government control, disarmament, and repression - along with Juan’s perspective on what comes next after Operation Absolute Resolve and the hope of rebuilding with stability, security, and accountable elections.

The episode also covers local politics and civic engagement, including a recap of the HD-42 special election results and what special elections can reveal about turnout and mail-in voting dynamics. Russell and Dave react to key moments from the State of the Union—especially energy, AI, and infrastructure—and discuss why Pennsylvania is positioned to lead if leaders invest in long-term, practical upgrades. The show wraps with a call to action for petition season and an invitation to join the committee at upcoming signing events.