Let's see if this leads to any concrete actions against Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua who is worse than Maduro. But then again Nicaragua does not have the largest oil reserves in the world like Venezuela has, making this more of an economic move by President Trump rather than a pro-democracy or anti-crime one. So it is only prudent for the Church in Venezuela to not make unnecessary statements until it is certain that Venezuela does not move from a Communist dictatorship to a puppet state for American economic and social interests (Venezuela has a ban on abortion, homosexual marriage, and pornography which some Western interests groups will now be very interested in overturning under the disguise of freedom and democracy).
Why do you think he knows what he's talking about? I don't find his page or any other source of him with a quick google, so it seems like he is a pretty random Venezuelan TikToker.
Having a fairly decent understanding of how oil markets actually work his explanation is far more believable and in line with reality than those who chalk this up- like so many other foreign policy actions - to simply "oil, oil, oil." That's not to say that that it plays absolutely no part, but it's a reductionist position that grossly over-simplifies.
The situation is complicated, but one can hardly call the dictatorship socially conservative. The society is in certain respects...my impression is that the Chavez/Maduro regime has pushed against those values over the years far more than it has bolstered them.
Prostitution is legal and women are trafficked in significant numbers--it's a Tier 3 country on the State Department's list, indicating that the problem is serious and the government has shown little inclination to do much about it.
Maduro's government has included councils and committees on "Sexodiversidad" and he has personally waved the rainbow flag in support of their efforts. The annual pride parade in Caracas has drawn upwards of 30,000 people in recent years, and in 2023 restrictions were lifted on LGBT citizens serving in the military.
Abortion does take place under some circumstances, and there is an International Planned Parenthood Federation affiliate operating in the country. (It is the man-made economic disaster that greatly hampers their efforts to provide services, not government discouragement.)
Yes, there are some very prominent people who have been pushing fantasies to the contrary for their own purposes; the individuals in question have provided ample proof for years now that they are not trustworthy.
If willing, it would be great to have a special podcast episode with Edgar specifically on Venezuela. This is the first place I looked for updates after the news broke.
The real question in my mind is why the person who actually won the election wasn't installed as the president instead of the vice president of the man who stole it.
It's not as simple as just "installing" a new leader. Venezuelan society is controlled by the regime, and that really hasn't changed. It's not as though we have 100,000 troops there and have taken over the government. The US is going to have to negotiate with the current regime - albeit in a position of strength - to unwind control. My guess is they will wind up with new elections, and the woman who won would obviously be a strong contender to win. But it could be some time before we get there.
The generalized reaction of those you call "leaders" is a function of what they think of Donald Trump, either personally or in his political capacity as President. As to the prayers of the Venezuelan Bishops, all faithful Catholics know the power of prayer, and that one's prayers can often be answered in unique ways that weren't anticipated beforehand.
Question for a pillar explainer: does “international law” have any special place in Church teaching? If something might increase the common good does it matter if the relatively modern concept is violated?
International law in it's current format can be traced to post-WW2, but international law as a field is not a modern concept, dating back atleast 800 years, and most realistically starting as soon as early as the concept of states arises thousands of years BC.
Yes, I know that modern international law didn’t spring from nowhere, and that a lot of it is derived from Catholic thought. I just wondered what the Church thinks when virtue and international law as currently practiced are in tension.
Praying for the peace of Venezuela and all Venezuelans.
Thank you, Edgar!
"We're not sure what to think yet; so we're just praying" is a solid instinct we could all probably use more of!
Let's see if this leads to any concrete actions against Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua who is worse than Maduro. But then again Nicaragua does not have the largest oil reserves in the world like Venezuela has, making this more of an economic move by President Trump rather than a pro-democracy or anti-crime one. So it is only prudent for the Church in Venezuela to not make unnecessary statements until it is certain that Venezuela does not move from a Communist dictatorship to a puppet state for American economic and social interests (Venezuela has a ban on abortion, homosexual marriage, and pornography which some Western interests groups will now be very interested in overturning under the disguise of freedom and democracy).
A good explainer from someone who knows what he's talking about discussing why the "it's all about oil" thing is very wrong. https://x.com/General_Somto/status/2007726717696389377
Why do you think he knows what he's talking about? I don't find his page or any other source of him with a quick google, so it seems like he is a pretty random Venezuelan TikToker.
Having a fairly decent understanding of how oil markets actually work his explanation is far more believable and in line with reality than those who chalk this up- like so many other foreign policy actions - to simply "oil, oil, oil." That's not to say that that it plays absolutely no part, but it's a reductionist position that grossly over-simplifies.
The situation is complicated, but one can hardly call the dictatorship socially conservative. The society is in certain respects...my impression is that the Chavez/Maduro regime has pushed against those values over the years far more than it has bolstered them.
Prostitution is legal and women are trafficked in significant numbers--it's a Tier 3 country on the State Department's list, indicating that the problem is serious and the government has shown little inclination to do much about it.
Maduro's government has included councils and committees on "Sexodiversidad" and he has personally waved the rainbow flag in support of their efforts. The annual pride parade in Caracas has drawn upwards of 30,000 people in recent years, and in 2023 restrictions were lifted on LGBT citizens serving in the military.
Abortion does take place under some circumstances, and there is an International Planned Parenthood Federation affiliate operating in the country. (It is the man-made economic disaster that greatly hampers their efforts to provide services, not government discouragement.)
Yes, there are some very prominent people who have been pushing fantasies to the contrary for their own purposes; the individuals in question have provided ample proof for years now that they are not trustworthy.
If willing, it would be great to have a special podcast episode with Edgar specifically on Venezuela. This is the first place I looked for updates after the news broke.
Yeah I went straight here and to Edgar's X feed
Especially after that business in Rome with him getting assaulted at the canonization event for asking Abp Pena Parra a question.
Yep, nobody more trustworthy than Edgar to give a breakdown of what is going on in Venezuela and what could happen.
Thank you for your reporting Edgar. We are with you and all Venezuelans in your prayers for a brighter future now that this guy is removed.
The real question in my mind is why the person who actually won the election wasn't installed as the president instead of the vice president of the man who stole it.
It's not as simple as just "installing" a new leader. Venezuelan society is controlled by the regime, and that really hasn't changed. It's not as though we have 100,000 troops there and have taken over the government. The US is going to have to negotiate with the current regime - albeit in a position of strength - to unwind control. My guess is they will wind up with new elections, and the woman who won would obviously be a strong contender to win. But it could be some time before we get there.
Thank you. I was truly puzzled as to why this turnover hadn't happened, and you have helped explain why.
TBF, this had to be explained to me as well as it also seemed odd. I'm relaying what I've just learned myself.
The generalized reaction of those you call "leaders" is a function of what they think of Donald Trump, either personally or in his political capacity as President. As to the prayers of the Venezuelan Bishops, all faithful Catholics know the power of prayer, and that one's prayers can often be answered in unique ways that weren't anticipated beforehand.
Question for a pillar explainer: does “international law” have any special place in Church teaching? If something might increase the common good does it matter if the relatively modern concept is violated?
International law in it's current format can be traced to post-WW2, but international law as a field is not a modern concept, dating back atleast 800 years, and most realistically starting as soon as early as the concept of states arises thousands of years BC.
Yes, I know that modern international law didn’t spring from nowhere, and that a lot of it is derived from Catholic thought. I just wondered what the Church thinks when virtue and international law as currently practiced are in tension.
Typo: “U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Marudo”, change to “Maduro”.