No one can deny that the situation in Venezuela is dramatic, even on a global scale. The images of disease, hunger and pain suffered by many people hurt the eyes. It hurts to see "the terrible scene of a mother carrying the corpse of her daughter to the morgue, who died during the blackout" or "to see dozens of children buried who had no medicine or electricity to save themselves." It hurts to see thousands of Venezuelans having to travel thousands of miles in search of a future, fleeing to other countries.
In the midst of this desolate landscape, Msgr. Biord said: "We are experiencing profound political changes. Twenty years ago what was called the Bolivarian revolution, which proposed 21st century socialism, was established; but unfortunately that revolution has failed.
This project has caused great poverty, having followed an economic and social model of great state control over people, businesses and free economic initiative. This whole situation has led to a general collapse of services and the failure and closure of almost all companies.
One of the biggest catastrophes this regime has produced is that nearly 4 million Venezuelans have left the country in the last 10 years. Very poor and simple people have had to leave the country by bus or on foot.
In Venezuela there is a situation of great poverty, of great need, and as we bishops have stated on various occasions, through the documents of the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, we are faced with a situation of illegitimacy of the President, of illegitimacy in the performance of functions and of illegitimacy in the origin.
We need a transition, with free elections and a renewal of powers, to renew the country's institutions ... Let's look at this historic moment with hope, despite the hunger and the difficult situation that people are experiencing, despite the collapse of many services, the economic collapse and hunger of many people.
There is a people that resists bending. It is a people that wants to provide humanitarian assistance through various civil organizations. The Church has placed "Caritas" at the parish and diocesan level as an aid center for receiving aid and distributing support to the most vulnerable population, which are malnourished children, pregnant and child-nurturing mothers, and adults with terminal illnesses.
The Venezuelan people have the right to live with a quality of life and to be able to give a future to their young people.
There is a lot of hope, but also a lot of suffering.
We thank the countries and religious groups that help us with prayer and with their presence, to keep us on our feet and to seek respect for human rights and the dignity of the people. Let's look at this situation with hope. We pray to God that the transition be peaceful."
