In a significant intervention, Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, has publicly cautioned the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump against using military force to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The Pope made these remarks on Tuesday while returning from his inaugural overseas trip to Turkey and Lebanon.
Dialogue Over Military Intervention
Addressing a news conference, Pope Leo was asked about Trump's threats to remove Maduro by force. He responded by advocating for peaceful solutions. "It is better to search for ways of dialogue, or perhaps pressure, including economic pressure," the Pope stated. He further suggested that if Washington's goal is to achieve change in Venezuela, it should explore these alternative avenues.
The pontiff, who was elected in May and hails from Chicago, expressed confusion over the mixed signals emanating from the Trump administration regarding its Venezuela policy. "The voices that come from the United States, they change with a certain frequency," he observed, highlighting the contradictory nature of recent U.S. actions.
Contradictory Signals from Washington
Pope Leo pointed to a specific instance that underscored this inconsistency. "On one hand, it seems there was a call between the two presidents," he said, referring to a phone conversation between Trump and Maduro last month. "On the other hand, there is the danger, there is the possibility there will be some activity, some (military) operation."
The Pope's deep familiarity with Latin America, stemming from his long years as a cleric in Peru, lends weight to his counsel on regional matters. His comments come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.
Background of U.S. Military Buildup
The Trump administration has been actively considering various options to counter what it describes as Maduro's involvement in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. A Reuters report last month revealed that options under consideration include a potential attempt to overthrow the Venezuelan leader.
This follows a period of significant military activity. The U.S. military has been positioned for a new phase of operations after a massive military buildup in the Caribbean and nearly three months of strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats off Venezuela's coast. President Maduro, a socialist leader, has consistently denied any links to the illegal drug trade.
Pope Leo's appeal for restraint and dialogue adds a powerful moral voice to the international discourse on the Venezuela crisis, urging a path away from military confrontation.
