Maryknoll Statement and Other Responses to U.S. Attack on Venezuela

On January 3, the United States invaded Venezuela, arresting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and bringing them to New York. President Trump has threatened a second wave of attacks if acting president Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president, does not comply with U.S. demands, leaving Venezuelans fearful and confused, especially after opposition leaders were sidelined despite a stolen 2024 election. Since September 2, the United States has carried out 35 air strikes on boats in the region, killing at least 115 civilians.

Faith leaders and international affairs experts have condemned the U.S. actions. Maduro was a dictator with a record of grave human rights abuses, but the invasion, without the permission of Congress, constitutes a violation of both U.S. and international law, and a dangerous precedent that destabilizes the region and the world.

Pope Leo XIV expressed “deep concern” in his Jan. 4 angelus address, calling for a path “guaranteeing the country’s sovereignty, ensuring the rule of law enshrined in the constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each person… with special attention to the poorest who are suffering from the difficult economic situation.” The Venezuelan Bishops Conference issued a statement calling for peace, saying “we reject any type of violence.”

Below is our statement on the crisis.
We witness with profound sorrow and alarm the reports of U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan soil and the forced removal of its leadership. We ask all people to join us in prayer for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Venezuela and for the wisdom of our leaders who hold the lives of so many in their hands.

Our friendship with the people of Venezuela is rooted in the Gospel’s call to peace and the defense of human dignity. While we have long advocated for justice and the relief of suffering for the Venezuelan people, we believe that violence and unilateral military intervention are never the path to reconciliation. The bombardment of military bases and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro violate U.S. and international law, and risk igniting a wider conflict that will displace thousands and claim the lives of the most vulnerable—the poor families in the barrios of Caracas and rural communities throughout Venezuela.

As a U.S.-based Catholic organization, we echo the words of Pope Leo XIV, who has consistently called for dialogue over force. We urge the United States to cease all military operations immediately to prevent further loss of life, respect international law and the sovereignty of nations, and pursue multilateral diplomacy in addressing the crisis in Venezuela. We call on Congress to assert its constitutional responsibility by invoking the War Powers Resolution to stop any further military action by the Administration in the region.

Join us in prayer for peace.
God of mercy and peace, we come before you today with hearts heavy for our brothers and sisters in Venezuela. Our hearts are with them in their hour of fear. Lord, hear our prayer and bring your peace.

We pray for the families in Caracas and across Venezuela who were awakened by the sound of explosions. Protect the children, the elderly, and the vulnerable from the physical and emotional scars of violence. Prince of Peace, guide us toward a nonviolent path.

We pray for our leaders and the leaders of all nations. Soften hearts that seek power through force and enlighten minds to see the path of dialogue. May they remember that every life is sacred and every act of war is a failure of peace. Holy Spirit, grant them the wisdom to be peacemakers.

Loving God, grant us all the strength to be your hands and feet in a time of darkness. Amen.

FAITH IN ACTION: Send a message to Trump and the Congress to stop war on Venezuela.

Other statements of note include:

Photo: Trump at Operation Absolute Resolve press conference on January, 3, 2026, official White House Photo, available in the public domain via Wiki Commons.