A Venezuelan cardinal rejected the possibility of foreign intervention in the country following US President Donald Trump’s threat to pursue a military option.
“The crisis we Venezuelans are suffering is so serious that now an external problem arises: the threats of a military option by President Trump,” Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas said.
He spoke after celebrating the 150th anniversary of the consecration of his archdiocese’s cathedral on Sunday, August 13.
He rejected the assertion that foreign military intervention could solve the crisis Venezuela is experiencing.
“I – and I am sure all the Venezuelan bishops – reject all foreign military interference, such as the Cuban one present for some time in Venezuela,” Cardinal Urosa said, “and I do not agree with the threat of a military option.”
Meeting
After a meeting with Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State and Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations, Trump told journalists that a military intervention was “certainly something that we could pursue”.
“Venezuela is a mess. It is very dangerous mess and a very sad situation,” Trump said. “The people are suffering and they are dying. We have many options for Venezuela, including a possible military option if necessary.”
Elections for seats on a constituent assembly were held in Venezuela on July 30 amid massive protests and international outcry.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s push for the assembly, comprised mainly of his supporters and designed to rewrite the nation’s constitution, has led to violent demonstrations in which more than 100 people have died.