Webinar: Venezuela Beyond the Headlines

As Venezuela navigated a pivotal and challenging moment in its history, the headlines often missed the most important element: the lived experience of the people on the ground.

Watch the recording of the Venezuela: Beyond the Headlines webinar on January 8, 2026, to hear from two returned lay missioners who lived and served in Venezuela and other parts of Latin America. Our returned missioners brought a unique lens—having lived on the margins, walking in solidarity with those experiencing poverty and exclusion, blending years of cultural immersion with a deep commitment to Catholic Social Teaching and global justice.

Speakers

Lisa Sullivan, Senior Policy Officer, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. Lisa lived and worked with grassroots organizations in Venezuela for more than thirty years, including the “hunger years.” Lisa returned to the United States in 2022 and joined the staff of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns in Washington, D.C.

Dan Moriarty, Senior Policy Officer, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. Dan lived and worked in Bolivia for more than fifteen years, working in prison ministry and directing the Maryknoll immersion program. Dan returned to the United States in 2019 and joined the staff of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns in Washington, D.C.

Missioner Perspectives

During this webinar, our speakers moved beyond the news cycle to share the authentic perspectives of the Venezuelan and Latin American communities they remain deeply connected to. We explored the most pressing social justice issues of that urgent moment, including:

  • Human Rights & Sovereignty: The current climate of civil liberties and the struggle for self-determination.
  • Economic Survival: How families navigated hyperinflation and the scarcity of basic goods.
  • The Migration Crisis: The reality of those forced to leave and the resilience of those who stay.
  • Solidarity in Action: How the U.S. community could respond with empathy and effective advocacy.

Ready for the next step? Watch the webinar now!

Photo: Protestors gather in Times Square on January 3, 2026, against the invasion of Venezuela and kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. Courtesy of SWinxy, available in public domain via Wikimedia Commons.