The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, urged the Catholic church to intercede to rescue the children of Venezuelan migrants who were separated from their families in the United States (US). During his visit to the Cathedral of Mérida (in Mérida state), the head of state expressed his confidence that, with ecclesiastical support, their release will be achieved.
In a video posted on Telegram, the Venezuelan dignitary, accompanied by the first lady, Cilia Flores, highlighted the work of Monsignor Helizandro Terán and the legacy of Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing his moral commitment to the people. He also thanked the Cardinal of San Salvador for speaking out in support of the 252 detained Venezuelan migrants.
The head of state emphasized the urgency of rescuing 31 children separated from their families, requesting international assistance: «We need support to protect them and reunite them with their loved ones,» he stated during the religious meeting.
During his visit to the Antonio Ramón Silva Archdiocesan Museum, President Maduro toured rooms with historical artifacts, such as 19th-century bells, highlighting the cultural and religious value of the institution founded in 1911.
Previously, Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez had asked President Nayib Bukele for transparency regarding the 252 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador, who have been held incommunicado for months. The Salvadoran Church demands answers, given the lack of official information.
In this same vein, Jorge Rodríguez, as head of the unified command of the Revolution, also asked the Churches to mediate for the children’s return: «Migrating is not a crime. We demand their immediate release,» he declared during a march in support of the affected families.
The humanitarian crisis continues generating international claims, while the Venezuelan government insists on church cooperation to guarantee the protection of minors and migrants abroad.