Pope Francis has issued a direct warning to former US President Donald Trump, urging him to abandon any plans for military intervention to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power.
A Call for Diplomacy, Not Force
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the pontiff addressed escalating international tensions and ratcheting fears of a potential US-led invasion of the South American nation. He explicitly cautioned against using force to achieve political change in Caracas.
"It is better to search for ways of dialogue, or perhaps pressure, including economic pressure," Pope Francis stated, offering an alternative path to resolve the prolonged political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
The Vatican's Stance on International Conflict
The Pope's comments represent a significant diplomatic intervention, placing the moral authority of the Holy See firmly against military action. He suggested that if the United States government is intent on pursuing regime change, it must find other methods to accomplish its aims.
"If that is what they want to do in the United States," he added, emphasising the need for peaceful solutions over confrontation. This public advice underscores the Vatican's consistent position favouring negotiation and peaceful resolution in global conflicts.
Implications for US-Venezuela Relations
The warning comes amid a protracted standoff between Washington and the government of Nicolas Maduro, whom the US and dozens of other nations no longer recognise as Venezuela's legitimate president. The Pope's advocacy for economic pressure over military force aligns with some existing international sanctions but draws a clear red line at armed intervention.
This high-profile appeal is likely to influence the discourse surrounding Venezuela, potentially bolstering arguments for continued diplomatic isolation and sanctions rather than more aggressive tactics. It places a renewed spotlight on the humanitarian consequences of the nation's deep economic collapse and the search for a peaceful political transition.
