The rector of Caracas’ Catholic university, Fr José Virtuoso SJ, has called on the opposition in Venezuela to unite in order to make the possible the political change that, he said, 80 per cent of Venezuelans want.
“The way to make people enthusiastic is a route map produced with others and in unity. There has to be self-criticism of methods that haven’t worked and an analysis of why they alienated people. We have to do the work of linking up and offering the country a plan.”
He was speaking a few days after the Venezuelan bishops, at the end of their plenary assembly last week, issued a statement in which they make harsh criticisms of President Nicolas Maduro’s government and call for a “democratic transition”.
Noting that the coronavirus pandemic shows the limitations of “human intelligence and creativity”, the bishops praise the heroism of medical personnel and volunteers. “In our country,” they say, we are suffering the dire consequences of an economic model, imposed by a communist type of regime and ideology that has left us all poorer, especially the weakest.” At the same time, say the bishops, a minority has enriched itself. Those in power ignore the human rights proclaimed by the Constitution, and those who claim them become “victims of violent and oppressive persecution and slander, harassment and extortion”. In their support the bishops cite two UN reports, including one by the high commissioner for human rights, former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, and that of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
The deteriorating quality of life and of health and education and basic services has led to an increase in emigration, a proof, say the bishops, that things can get no worse. The electoral process on 6 December 2020, “officially labelled an election”, was plagued by irregularities and participation was low. In contrast, the referendum (organised by the opposition), seemed to have widespread support.
“Accompanying and interpreting the feelings of the majority of Venezuelans,” the bishops continue, “we insist that the country needs a radical change in political leadership. This requires of the government sufficient integrity, rationality and love for the country to halt this sea of suffering that has engulfed the Venezuelan people, and a sense of urgency to find the swiftest legal and peaceful path to make possible a democratic transition and take us as soon as possible to presidential and parliamentary elections that are free and fair to all involved.”
“We know that we are asking for an act of courage from the government,” the bishops add, “but this is necessary for the good of the people, especially the poorest.” They conclude by appealing to the government to allow non-governmental organisations and civil society to help in addressing the problems in health care, education and food shortages. “The government cannot solve all the many problems from which we suffer,” they say.
The statement comes as the European Union has ended its recognition of opposition politician Juan Guaidó as interim President of Venezuela after he lost his position as president of the National Assembly in last December’s elections. It is also unclear how the incoming Biden administration in the United States will treat the divided Venezuelan opposition.
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