Bishops in Puerto Rico warn of ‘possible escalations’ in a US-Venezuela war

ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 2, 2025 / 16:08 pm (CNA).

The Puerto Rican Bishops’ Conference has expressed its opposition to the militarization being carried out by the United States on the island, an unincorporated U.S. territory, and in the Caribbean Sea region and warned of the “possible escalations” of a war with Venezuela.

The Puerto Rican bishops noted various calls for peace from popes Leo XIV, Francis, and St. John XXIII, and denounced the “adverse effects” of militarization, such as “the restriction of airspace and maritime routes and military maneuvers in different towns in Puerto Rico, with their collateral consequences on fishing activity.”

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has sent some 15,000 troops to the Caribbean Sea region, 5,000 of whom are in Puerto Rico. According to CNN, a dozen ships have also arrived in the area, and U.S. forces have sunk several vessels allegedly loaded with drugs, causing the deaths of more than 80 people.

Trump’s objective is reportedly to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom he accuses of being the leader of the Cartel de los Soles, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization. In this context, on Nov. 30, Trump told reporters that he had a phone call with Maduro, although he did not provide further details.

“We are aware of the structural injustices that plague some political systems in neighboring countries and we condemn the trafficking of drugs and weapons in our Caribbean region. But dialogue between societies and government diplomacy must always prevail over conflict to avoid war at all costs,” states the communiqué signed by all the bishops of Puerto Rico.

“War should never be the solution to conflicts; war does not bring peace, but death. It always brings death and causes grave harm to countries, sometimes to the most defenseless,” they emphasized.

After encouraging efforts for peace, the bishops expressed their concern about “the possible escalations that a war against Venezuela could entail, with a potential reaction from its allies in Latin America, such as Russia, China, and Iran.”

“We unite in prayer and express our solidarity with our brother bishops of Venezuela, and together with them, with their beloved Venezuelan people. We know that they have been living through difficult times for years, with division, tension, and political uncertainty, which this military mobilization has intensified,” they stated.

The bishops also encouraged everyone “to join in prayer for peace in our land, in Venezuela and neighboring countries, as well as throughout the world.”

In an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, the governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González, a Republican, said: “I support and back the actions of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump’s policy regarding dealing with Venezuela.” She also charged that “much if not most” criminal activity on the island comes from “Venezuela and Colombia.”

The governor expressed approval of the U.S. attacks on the crews and boats allegedly loaded with illegal drugs destined for the U.S. She labeled Maduro a “narco-dictator” not recognized by the U.S. as the legitimate president of the country because of massive election fraud by his government.

González said that according to various surveys, “82% of the citizenry” in Puerto Rico supports the arrival of American troops because their presence “provides security” and that she has no fear that Venezuela would attack the island if a war breaks out.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/268213/bishops-in-puerto-rico-warn-of-possible-escalations-in-a-us-venezuela-war