"A just and peaceful solution" | Papa's request …

The word of Pope Francisco on the situation of political and institutional crisis in Venezuela had been awaited for several days, the pontiff being Wednesday in Panama, a few kilometers from Venezuela. Today, he raised the issue and asked "that a just and peaceful solution be sought and achieved to overcome the crisis".

On the same day that Francisco landed in Panama for World Youth Day, Venezuela entered a dangerous escalation of tensions when opposition leader Juan Guaidó was sworn in as acting president after the Congress declared Nicolpas Maduro "usurper" for initiating the trial. January 10, a second term deemed illegitimate by the international community. Washington immediately recognized Guaidó as acting president, after which Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with the United States and ordered the closure of the Venezuelan Embbady and all consulates in the United States.

The Vatican on Thursday issued a first statement in which it urged the authorities to avoid "the suffering" of Venezuelans. "The Holy Father is following the situation closely and praying for the victims and for all Venezuelans," said Acting spokesman for the Holy See, Alessandro Gisotti.

Finally, at the end of his visit to Central America, Jorge Bergoglio spoke on the subject. "Here in Panama, I have thought a lot about the Venezuelan people, whom I feel particularly united these days." In view of the grave situation in which he finds himself, I ask the Lord to seek and reach a just and peaceful solution to overcome the crisis, respecting human rights and desiring exclusively the good of all the inhabitants of the country. "said Pope Francis.

He made this call after praying Angelus at the House of the Good Samaritan of Panama. He asked for the "protection of our lady of Coromoto, patron saint of Venezuela".

This Sunday, the opposition Guaidó will set the date for a "big march" after a week that has left 29 dead and more than 350 detained in protests and riots, according to humanitarian groups.