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Geneva, 14 February 2019

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expresses its growing concern for the lives and welfare of all people who are or might in the future be affected by failure to resolve the political situation in Venezuela peacefully and in the best interests of the people of the country.

The WCC calls urgently for the Venezuelan government to respect the integrity of the country’s constitution and democratic institutions, to protect the human rights of all people in Venezuela, to cease the killing and detention of peaceful protesters, to create space for dialogue and to seek a peaceful solution to the political impasse in Venezuela.

All parties to this confrontation, national and international, must commit to dialogue and diplomacy, guided by both national and international legal frameworks, for the sake of the Venezuelan people. By fully respecting and utilizing the democratic process, we pray that Venezuela may find the means to rebuild its political and economic governance, and a new path forward.

We urge the country’s political leaders to put the lives and livelihoods of the Venezuelan people before their own interests, and to avoid escalation of tensions and violence by rash words or actions. The consequences of failing to do so will inevitably lead to much greater human suffering, and a deeper rift in the social and political fabric of the country and region.

The WCC calls on the neighboring countries and members of the international community to avoid political misuse of urgently-needed humanitarian support for the people of Venezuela, both inside and outside its borders, and to refrain from threats of military intervention.

We call upon WCC member churches around the world to continue to pray for wisdom, peace, justice and compassion to prevail in Venezuela.

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14

Dr Agnes Abuom                         
Moderator of the Central Committee
World Council of Churches

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
General Secretary
World Council of Churches