Paul Keenan
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has officially requested that the Vatican become involved in mediating talks aimed at seeking a solution to the nation’s catastrophic economic crisis.
Following weeks of resistance on the part of the president to any negotiations with his political rivals, even as dangerous food and medical shortages grow ever worse, Mr Maduro finally bowed to pressure placed on him by heads of state from Panama, Spain and the Dominican Republic to enter talks. Deeply suspicious of the opposition, which continues to work towards ousting him, Mr Maduro has now turned to Rome to mediate talks when they happen.
Ascent
Even before the ascent of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela was showing signs of economic woe, mainly as a result of the socialist drive of the late Hugo Chavez.
In 2013, Mr Maduro inherited inflation of 50%, which grew rapidly until Venezuela dipped into recession in 2014, made all the worse by slipping oil prices, a product that is the country’s main source of wealth.
Unfortunately for the nation, Mr Maduro did not alter the socialist course set by Mr Chavez and has steadily driven Venezuela deeper into crisis. Basic necessities have become impossible to source and long food queues have become the norm.
Amid the increasing crisis, the Catholic Church stepped in to try and provide for struggling Venezuelans. However, the local Church has struggled against overwhelming demand and has appealed more than once to Mr Maduro to allow it to bring in emergency supplies.
As The Irish Catholic went to press this week, the Vatican was yet to respond to President Maduro’s invitation.