Venezuela: Holy See and Bishops’ Conference call for dialogue and ‘democratic coexistence’

Protests have engulfed Venezuelan cities since results were announced in Sunday’s (28 July) presidential election. The government says voters handed the incumbent, President Nicolás Maduro, a third term in office. At least 20 people have died in the ensuing protests, according to Human Rights Watch, as security forces and protesters continue to clash in various parts of the country.

In the midst of this unrest, the Venezuelan Bishops Conference released a statement, on Tuesday, 30 July, praising the “massive, active, and civic participation of all Venezuelans in the electoral process.” They said that the size of the turnout had “reaffirmed our commitment to democracy.” The Bishops also echoed the call for electoral transparency: “We join our voices with all those inside and outside Venezuela who demand a process of verification of the ballot results, in which all the involved political actors participate actively and fully.”

“Let us stand firm in hope,” the statement urged. “Our thoughts and just claims must be made with the peaceful attitudes of respect and tolerance that have reigned up to now.”

The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the Organization of American States ( oas ) expressed support for the Venezuelan Bishops’ call for electoral transparency. Msgr. Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano said the Holy See supports the “democratic vocation of the Venezuelan people, demonstrated in the ‘massive, active, and civic participation of all Venezuelans in the electoral process.’” He was speaking at an extraordinary session of the oas ’ Permanent Council held in Washington DC on Wednesday, 31 July. At the meeting, oas member states failed to pass a resolution calling for the Venezuelan government to be transparent with the election results. The resolution required 18 votes to pass, but only 17 states voted in favour and 11 others abstained. Msgr. Cruz said the Holy See’s delegation to the oas “acknowledges the non-adoption of the proposed Resolution.”

“Furthermore,” he said, the Holy See “believes that the expression of different positions and grievances should be conducted “with the peaceful attitudes, respect, and tolerance that have prevailed thus far.” Msgr. Cruz concluded his statement with a call for dialogue to overcome violence. “The Holy See,” he said, “maintains that only dialogue and the active and full participation of all political actors involved in this process can lead to overcoming the current situation and bearing witness to democratic coexistence in the country.”