Pope calls Venezuela to “seek the truth” & “avoid violence”

"Have at heart the true good of the people and not partisan interests," the Pope appealed in the aftermath of contested elections in Venezuela.

Pope Francis called on all parties involved in the electoral and political crisis in Venezuela to avoid violence and settle issues through dialogue. He made this appeal after praying the midday Angelus on August 4, 2024.

“I am […] concerned about Venezuela, which is experiencing a critical situation. I make a heartfelt appeal to all parties to seek the truth, to exercise restraint, to avoid any kind of violence, to settle disputes through dialogue, to have at heart the true good of the people and not partisan interests,” Pope Francis said during the Angelus.

“Let us entrust the country to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, so loved and venerated by Venezuelans, and to the prayer of Blessed José Gregorio Hernandez, whose witness unites us all.”

Venezuela has seen protests and violent clashes in the aftermath of the July 28 elections, which the government said were won by the current president, Nicolas Maduro. However, the opposition has contested the results and observers have said that many indicators cast doubt on the government’s claims that Maduro won.

Several countries, including the United States, have recognized the opposition candidate as the winner of the elections. Several thousand people have been arrested by the government and Human Rights Watch has reported that at least 20 people have died in the protests.

Other statements from Church members

In a letter leaked to the press, two Venezuelan cardinals, Baltazar Porras, Archbishop emeritus of Caracas, and Diego Padrón, Archbishop emeritus of Cumaná, have said to support non-violent “civic disobedience and resistance” and that the people had not voted for Maduro, according to local media reports.

On July 30, the presidency of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference called for elector transparency in a statement, while also urging peace. “We join our voices with all those inside and outside Venezuela who demand a process of verification of the ballot results, in which all the involved political actors participate actively and fully,” the statement said.

The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the Organization of American States (OAS), Msgr. Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, expressed support for the bishops’ statement on July 31.