Cardinal Baltazar Porras, Archbishop Emeritus of Caracas, has emphasized that Venezuela’s path forward after the removal of President Nicolás Maduro must be built on reconciliation, not retribution. “It’s not about vengeance,” he stated, warning that a quest for revenge would only deepen societal divisions.
In an interview with Venevisión, the cardinal acknowledged the complex debates surrounding the circumstances of Maduro’s departure but stressed that the nation’s focus must now be on healing and looking ahead. “Everything done through violence, war, or death invariably leaves wounds,” he said, identifying the Church’s primary role as helping to heal those wounds.
Porras called for a collective effort to find shared solutions and foster national unity. “We must learn to foster fraternity. We must learn to be brothers and sisters,” he urged, adding that learning to coexist is the foundation for rebuilding a peaceful society.
The Path to Justice and Forgiveness
Since the change in government, Venezuelan authorities have promoted a narrative of forgiveness. An amnesty law passed in February has led to the release of thousands of political prisoners, according to independent monitors.
However, Cardinal Porras noted that the amnesty process “has proceeded very slowly.” He pointed to a significant obstacle: many of those now tasked with implementing justice and approving releases were previously complicit in or condoned the abuses of the former regime.
The prelate lamented the lack of a true separation of powers in the country and asserted that freedom is “a matter of justice,” not a gift. He described the current moment as a critical window of opportunity for Venezuelans to seek a new societal balance and move beyond a system that favored only one direction.
Restoring Fundamental Freedoms
A cornerstone of the new era, according to Porras, must be the restoration of fundamental freedoms, especially freedom of expression. “We’re not slaves,” he declared, arguing that people must be free to conduct their own analysis and exercise personal discernment.
He highlighted that many Venezuelans currently lack this ability due to insufficient or manipulated information. True authority, he stated, finds its purpose in service to the people and the pursuit of the common good, which requires regulations that guarantee essential services for societal development.
Charting a Democratic Transition
When discussing the political transition, Cardinal Porras recalled advice from St. John Paul II: “Do not speak to those in power, for they do not listen. Speak to the people.”
He argued that the country must simultaneously work toward creating the conditions for free elections and a genuine democratic transition. “The first prerequisite is that citizens be able to decide for themselves, rather than simply accept what is dictated by those currently in power,” he explained.
The cardinal also underscored the urgent need for economic recovery, which depends on real policies that guarantee legal certainty for investment. “We are the ones who have gotten ourselves into this deep ditch, and together, we must figure out how to climb out of it,” he said.
Concluding with a message of hope, Porras stated that building a better future will require “sweat and tears” from the Venezuelan people. He prayed, “May the Lord and the Virgin bless the entire Venezuelan people.”
