Faith Leaders Urge for Peace Amid Political Changes in Venezuela

Thu Jan 08 2026 21:50:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Nicolás Maduro's regime faces upheaval, faith leaders in Venezuela and the U.S. call for prayers and discussions on moving forward peacefully.

With the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, community leaders and pastors in Venezuela and among the Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S. are calling for prayers and calm as uncertainty looms over the future. Amid celebrations in the streets, faith leaders advocate for reconciliation, urging their congregations to prepare for a peaceful transition. The Catholic Church and Evangelical depictions show a united front for peace and stability, emphasizing the need for patience and understanding during this transitional period.

Faith leaders who minister to Christians in Venezuela and the Venezuelan diaspora in the United States are urging prayers for peace as they attend to congregations roiled by uncertainty following the U.S. capture of deposed leader Nicolás Maduro.

In Venezuela, initial statements from the Catholic bishops’ conference and the Evangelical Council of Venezuela were cautious, appealing for calm and patience, while many pastors welcomed Maduro’s ouster. The Catholic archbishop of Miami, who leads the largest Venezuelan community in the U.S., believes the church must play a crucial role in assisting Venezuela's recovery.

Approximately 8 million people have fled Venezuela since 2014, often settling in South Florida, which has developed a substantial Venezuelan community. Many celebrated in the streets after Maduro's capture during a U.S. military operation.

However, uncertainty remains, particularly as the Trump administration has ended programs that previously allowed over 700,000 Venezuelans to live and work legally in the U.S. Archbishop Thomas Wenski emphasized the mixed feelings among those in his community, balancing celebration with concerns over their legal status and the future of Venezuela.

Wenski expressed hope that the church's role could evolve positively following Maduro's removal, advocating for reconciliation and a voice promoting peace among the polarized population.

In Doral, dubbed “Little Venezuela,” locals held special services to pray for Venezuela’s future after Maduro's downfall, where pastors implored their congregations for hope and justice. Rev. Israel Mago from Our Lady of Guadalupe rallied for a fair transition during Sunday services, while a gathering in Philadelphia emphasized community and emotional support during these turbulent times.

Arianne Bracho of Casa de Venezuela Philadelphia described the service as a healing moment for the Venezuelan community, aiming to reaffirm hope amidst ongoing struggles and affirm their faith in God's will for the country.