CLAMOR Network Statement Asking for Peace, Dialogue and Respect for Venezuela's Sovereignty

The CLAMOR Network (Red Clamor in Spanish) is the Latin American and Caribbean Ecclesial Network for Migration, Displacement, Refuge and Human Trafficking who work in partnership with the Franciscan Network for Migrants and the Quixote Center. Below is the statement they published in the aftermath of the January 3rd attacks in Venezuela:

The CLAMOR Network rejects the military operations carried out by the United States government on January 3, 2026, on Venezuelan territory, which included bombings in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, as well as the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, under the pretext of defending the sovereignty, democracy, and freedom of the population.

We mourn the loss of military and civilian lives and pray for their eternal rest.

The temporary control of Venezuela by the United States, on the grounds that it will be until a "safe transition" takes place, as well as the announcement of oil projects and economic reconstruction under the supervision of US companies, constitute a serious violation of the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and international law. This action contradicts the provisions of Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations, which enshrines the principle of non-intervention and respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of States.

We recognize that serious human rights violations, restrictions on political participation, persecution, censorship, and arbitrary detentions have been documented in Venezuela for many years, with hundreds of political prisoners, amid an acute humanitarian crisis that has affected the common good of the Venezuelan people and the dignity of individuals.

However, from the perspective of Christian Social Doctrine, we categorically reject any type of invasion and unilateral use of force that violates the right of peoples to decide their own destiny.

We affirm that any internal political transition must emanate from the Venezuelan people themselves, through free, transparent, and internationally verifiable elections, without manipulation or coercion, respecting national sovereignty and human dignity, not only individually but also collectively.

The interventionist policies of the United States have historically prioritized economic interests over the dignity of peoples. Militarization in Venezuelan territory would only increase the risk of new human rights violations, forced displacement, and humanitarian crises, as has repeatedly occurred in other regions affected by external conflicts.

The CLAMOR Network remains alert to continue with our mission of welcoming, protecting, promoting, and integrating people in forced mobility.

We urge the United States government to prioritize dialogue, mediation, and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of international law and the Catholic Church's call for peace.

To read the original statement in Spanish, click HERE.