Pope Leo raises concern over Venezuela after Trump arrests President Maduro
By Aloys Michael, January 4, 2026Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep concern over developments in Venezuela following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro by United States forces in Caracas and his transfer to New York for trial.
In a statement on Sunday, January 4, 2026, the Pope urged restraint, respect for sovereignty and a renewed commitment to justice and peace.
“It is with deep concern that I am following the developments in Venezuela. The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration. This must lead to the overcoming of violence and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace. I pray for all this, and I invite you to pray too, entrusting our prayer to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, and to Saints José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles, the pontiff wrote on X.
The remarks followed the arrest of Maduro on Saturday by U.S. forces in the Venezuelan capital, an event that has drawn global attention and raised questions about regional stability, international law and the future political direction of the South American nation.
Earlier, addressing the faithful during the traditional midday Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the Pontiff called on leaders and citizens alike to place the welfare of Venezuelans above all other interests.
“Let us entrust the Venezuelan people to prayer,” he said, assuring them of his personal spiritual support.
He stressed the need to move away from violence and toward dialogue and lawful processes that respect human dignity.
The Pope also emphasised the importance of national unity and cooperation in addressing Venezuela’s long-standing challenges, particularly the country’s economic difficulties, which he said have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable.
He urged Venezuelans and the international community to work together toward a serene future of collaboration, stability, and concord, with special attention to the poorest who suffer because of the difficult economic situation.
Venezuela under siege?
Venezuela’s left-wing leader and his wife were captured at their compound and flown to the US, as part of a dramatic overnight special forces operation that also saw strikes on military bases.
Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores have since been charged with weapon and drug offences in New York.
Trump also promised US oil companies would move into the country and warned the US would stage a second attack if needed. Venezuela’s Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez said the government was ready to defend itself, while the attack has prompted international criticism.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, who was part of Maduro’s inner circle, is now the interim president after being sworn in by the nation’s Supreme Court.
On Saturday, January 3, 2025, she demanded Maduro’s release, saying he was the only president.
Despite Trump’s claims that the US would run Venezuelauntil a safe, proper and judicious transition was possible, Maduro’s allies remain in charge.
It is unclear exactly how the US plans to run Venezuela or who will be involved, but the US president said it would be a group effort.
He added that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been talking to Rodríguez, who had expressed her willingness to do “whatever the US asks”.
This is at odds withRodríguez’s publicly refusing that Venezuela would become a colony of an empire.