The Christians for National Liberation strongly condemns the invasion through violent armed intervention carried out by the fascist United States government under the Trump administration against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the early hours of January 3. The bombings and seizure of key areas in Caracas, reportedly leading to the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, demonstrate a grave violation of Venezuelan sovereignty, and a violent assault to their life and dignity.  

As Christians, we affirm that no empire, no foreign president, and no outside military power can claim authority over a sovereign nation. Any attempt by a powerful state to dominate, overthrow, or subjugate another people is a direct affront to the God of justice. Simultaneous attacks and killings in Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua, resulted in the deaths of Venezuelan and Cuban military and intelligence personnel. This military incursion that unnecessarily claimed the lives of many shows how this aggression has sown fear, violence, and suffering among the people. This is undeniably abhorring.  

The claim by U.S. officials that these actions were a “strategic necessity” is nothing less than a propaganda to cover their tryst for war. History teaches us that U.S. imperial interventions are often driven not by concern for democracy or human rights, as they claimed to be, but by economic interests, particularly control over natural resources. Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has long been a target of such imperial ambitions. 

Under the false pretext of combating drug trafficking and so-called “narco-terrorism,” the United States has sought to destabilize and overthrow the Venezuelan government, seize control of its resources, and reassert its dominance. This recent military intervention of a sovereign state depicts a pattern of imperial domination. The invasion of Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, for example, were justified by fabricated claims and outright lies which resulted to immense human suffering.  

Clearly, this militaristic aggression aims to dismantle the Bolivarian Revolution who defended the sanctity of Venezuela’s sovereignty. The US-imperialist attempts to weaken the will of the Venezuelan people and install a puppet regime that will open the country to foreign exploitation, deprive its people of social gains, and redirect resources away from programs that fund free education, healthcare, and social protection to imperialist copers.  

The CNL stands firmly with the Venezuelan people in their struggle against military takeover and imperialist domination. We join hands with revolutionary and militant Christians around the world who hear Jesus’ invitation to follow him in anticipating and building the Kingdom of Justice in the midst of the Kingdom of Herod who killed and oppressed God’s people (Matthew 4:18-22.) Our faith compels us to resist empire, denounce violence, and stand with the oppressed. 

We call on democracy- and freedom-loving Filipinos to stand in solidarity with Venezuela and condemn the U.S. armed assault and intervention. We likewise denounce the complicity of the Marcos regime in allowing U.S. military presence, bases, and large-scale weapons in the Philippines, turning our country into a staging ground for imperialist wars and exposing our people to grave danger.  

Military exercises and agreements such as EDCA further entangle the Philippines in wars of aggression that serve foreign interests, not the Filipino people. 

This moment calls on all people of faith, clergy, and church leaders and to all revolutionaries to speak prophetically against U.S. imperialism, to oppose military intervention in Venezuela, and to stand with all nations victimized by coercive foreign policies that undermine sovereignty and peace.  

As CNL, we stand against the US-led imperialist offensive in Latin America and the Caribbean! We also Demand the immediate release of President Nicolás Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores and their return to Venezuela. 

Finally, the CNL affirms that strengthening the national democratic struggle in the Philippines is a significant contribution to the global fight against imperialism and fascism. In faith, hope, and solidarity, we commit ourselves to this struggle for Venezuela, for the Philippines, and for all peoples yearning for justice, peace, and genuine freedom all over the world.  

No to Imperialist Wars!