Four months have passed since the previous administration fell, but Venezuela has yet to find the peace and stability it so desperately seeks. More than 450 people remain in prison for political reasons, according to human rights organizations, and the promise of amnesty has faded. On the streets, fear still accompanies many citizens who dread being detained without cause.
Venezuelan bishops have brought this reality before Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. Their assessment is honest and troubling: although there has been a change in the presidency, the same political actors remain in power. The president of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Jesús González de Zárate, stated clearly: "There is continuity in the political actors."
As pastors, the bishops frequently receive requests to mediate the release of political prisoners, but avenues are not always open. "This is a difficult issue to address," Monsignor Zárate explained, not only for the Church but also for other organizations and even governments.
Unanswered Questions About Venezuela's Future
"Many unresolved questions remain about what Venezuela's immediate future will be," Monsignor Zárate said after meeting with the Pope. The bishops outlined the complex situation facing the country, where official commitment to presidential elections remains vague.
"Throughout these months we have asked ourselves many questions and still do not have enough answers," he added. Political uncertainty compounds the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of Venezuelans.
Human Dignity as a Priority
Amid this landscape, the bishops have highlighted the need to restore the primacy of human dignity, which is the foundation of the Church's social teaching. "On this would be based the freedom of civilians, participation rights, the paths of democratization we need, and overcoming merely partisan, particular interests for the common good," Monsignor Zárate affirmed.
The Bible reminds us that we are all created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that we must seek justice and peace. As Psalm 85:10 says: "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other." That is the hope the Venezuelan Church keeps alive.
Political Continuity: The Same Face with a Different Name
Although Monsignor Zárate acknowledges "there is a change, because the one who previously held the top office is no longer there," he also warns "there is continuity in the political actors," casting doubt on the depth of the change process. Power structures appear to have remained intact, and the concrete decisions expected in the political sphere have not materialized.
The prelate insists that, despite certain gestures of openness, the outlook remains uncertain. "More concrete decisions were expected in the political realm, which have not yet come to fruition, and therefore those concerns remain."
This situation echoes Jesus' words in Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." The Venezuelan Church continues to work for peace, but the road is long.
The Church's Role Amid the Crisis
Venezuelan bishops have taken on a role of mediation and spiritual accompaniment. Despite the difficulties, they continue to build bridges between the government and civil society. "As pastors, we are called to be close to the people, to listen to their pains, and to bring their cries to the authorities," Monsignor Zárate noted.
The Church has also denounced human rights violations and called for justice for political prisoners. In this context, the bishops urge all Venezuelans to keep hope alive. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). The path to full democracy may be long, but the Church remains a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of light in the darkness.
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