Venezuela: Bishops appeal for prayers, reject all violence

Source: Vatican Media

The Venezuelan Bishops Conference has issued a statement regarding recent events in their country, rejecting the violence, calling for calm, and requesting that "the decisions made always be for the good of our people."

The Venezuelan bishops expressed their solidarity and support for the people of their country in a statement, calling for perseverance in prayer and rejecting all forms of violence.

In the early morning of Saturday, 3 January, 2026, US special forces entered Caracas, detonating explosives in several military zones of the capital, killing more than 40 people and injuring many more. They captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at their residence, and have taken them to a prison in New York.

"In light of the events unfolding in our country today, let us ask God to grant all Venezuelans serenity, wisdom, and strength. We stand in solidarity with those who were injured and the families of those who died. Let us persevere in prayer for the unity of our people," the message reads.

The bishops also ask that any decisions made be for the good of the Venezuelan people: "We call upon the People of God to live more intensely the hope and fervent prayer for peace in our hearts and in society. We reject all forms of violence. May our hands be open for encounter and mutual support, and may the decisions made always be for the good of our people."

Following the military operation in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump praised the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro and asserted that Washington would govern the country for the time being until a political transition takes place and would invest in the oil industry.

Late Saturday afternoon, Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered that Delcy Rodríguez, who was serving as vice president, assume the role of acting president of the nation.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council announced it will hold an emergency meeting today, following the US airstrike against Venezuela. The meeting is described as a discussion on threats to international peace and security.