Statement by the John XXIII Association of Theologians against Trump's military intervention in Venezuela

 

 

 

January 6, 2026

 

0. The Juan XXIII Association of Theologians wishes to express its indignation and firmest condemnation of the imperialist military aggression of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, against the Government and people of Venezuela.

1. The military aggression constitutes a grave violation of international law, Venezuela's national sovereignty, human rights, world peace, and the fundamental principles of political ethics and harmonious relations among nations. It has led to the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as well as the murder of dozens of people, the wounding of others, attacks on various infrastructures, and the destabilization of the region.

2. The aim of the military intervention was not to defend democracy, but rather to seize the Venezuelan oil market, one of the richest in the world, as Trump brazenly stated in the speech in which he tried to justify the coup and demanded of the new president.

3. We consider unacceptable Trump's threat to apply his imperialist policies to other Latin American countries such as Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico, following the Monroe Doctrine, continuing the long history of coups d'état that the United States has practiced around the world and undermining peace throughout Latin America.

4. We denounce Trump's imperialist and colonial policies, which constitute a denial of the sovereignty of peoples, a rejection of multilateralism in international relations, interference in the problems of other countries, and the use of violence for the purposes of domination.  

5. We recognize that Venezuela is experiencing a profoundly critical political, economic, and social situation, characterized by a lack of respect for human rights and a lack of transparency in recent elections. These problems must be resolved by Venezuelans themselves, but under no circumstances through military aggression by the Empire, as has happened.

6. We ask :

-                 Trump's respect for international law.

-                 The withdrawal of the United States from Venezuelan territory. 

-                 The immediate release of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

-                 The restoration of the Venezuelan government.

-                 The immediate calling of free elections  

-                 The return of sovereignty to the Venezuelan people.  

-                 Commitment to multilateralism in international relations against imperialism.

-                 The renunciation of the United States from its imperialist and colonialist policies.

-                 The defense of democracy against autocracy.

7. The condemnations and alternative proposals above are inspired by the denunciations and proposals of Jesus of Nazareth: "You know that those who are feared as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all" (Gospel of Mark 10:42-45).  

8. Faced with the use of violence as a means of domination over peoples, we propose paths of peace and justice, drawing inspiration from the biblical texts that guide us. Psalm 85:11 states: "Love and truth meet, peace and justice kiss" (Psalm 85:11). The prophet Isaiah presents "peace as the fruit of justice" (Isaiah 32:17). Jesus of Nazareth declares: "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Gospel of Matthew 5:9) and leaves his followers the following message, which can be extended to all men and women of good will, so that they may put it into practice: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you" (Gospel of John 14:27). 

9. These proposals are in line with those of individuals and groups committed to seeking paths to peace and justice in conflict resolution. With his imperialist and coup-plotting practices, Trump, who verbally claims to be Christian, demonstrates how far he is from the prophetic and Jesuit ideal of peace and justice. Therefore, we denounce and condemn his military aggression against Venezuela, as well as other oppressive actions against vulnerable people, impoverished communities, and oppressed peoples whose rights he tramples.

10. From the perspective of political ethics and Christian faith, we cannot remain silent in the face of such a blatant violation of international law, which affects all humanity. Therefore, we have decided to make this statement public.