The National Council of the Churches of the United States of America (NCCCUSA) has been consistent in its history regarding the affirmation of peace with justice and reconciliation among peoples and countries, including Venezuela.  We are outraged at the recent reports of mercenary groups entering Venezuelan territory to commit violent acts against the people of that country. We are appalled that these people hold United States (U.S.) citizenship and that they were allegedly motivated by religious ideals. These violent actions contradict Jesus’ teaching to love and respect our neighbors. The foreign policy measures that the U.S. has implemented against the Venezuelan people remain a deep concern. At a time when countries around the world are allocating resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. has expanded economic sanctions against Venezuela and deployed Navy ships under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking.  These actions have endangered U.S. service people and have impacted Venezuela’s ability to address the COVID-19 crisis in this hour of need.  

Given our solidarity with the people of Venezuela and our commitment to peace with justice:

1. We condemn any military intervention in Venezuela, directly or indirectly promoted by the U.S. or through third nations. Such actions defy the right of the Venezuelan people to self-determination and worsen their infrastructure and livelihoods. We call on the U.S. government to heed the call for a global ceasefire from the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General, Dr. Antonio Guterres, who said: “It is time to put the armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.”  
2. We urge the government of the U.S. to eliminate all economic sanctions imposed against Venezuela.  These strategies will not serve any purpose other than to harm those who are already suffering, and who are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. The economic sanctions will also negatively affect the political and social environments needed for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela. 
3. We urge the international ecumenical movement—all churches and faiths in the U.S. and around the world—governments, the U.N., and all people of goodwill, to come together to reject any military intervention against Venezuela, to eliminate economic sanctions against this country and to affirm its right to self-determination and sovereignty.  

We call on churches in the United States and around the world, as well as all people of goodwill, to increase prayers and acts of peace, justice, and reconciliation for the people of Venezuela. They are our neighbors and we stand in solidarity with them.   May God guide us into that endeavor.  

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Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and more than 40 million Christians in a common commitment to God’s love and promise of unity.

NCC News contact: Steven D. Martin: 202.412.4323 or steven.martin@nationalcouncilofchurches.us.