Pope issues strong warning to Trump over Venezuela after Maduro’s capture

The Pope has expressed deep concern over recent developments in Venezuela, issuing what can be seen as a strong warning to U.S. President Donald Trump following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Writing on X, Pope Leo XIV said, “The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration.” He added that this principle should guide the pursuit of peace and justice in the country, and said he was praying for the Venezuelan nation.

The statement comes after U.S. Army Delta Force troops carried out a daring early-morning operation in Caracas on Saturday, capturing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, before extraditing them on drug trafficking charges. Trump celebrated the raid on Fox News, praising the “speed” and “violence” of the operation.

Pope Leo XIV had previously urged the U.S. to pursue dialogue or economic pressure rather than military action.

Explosions were reported across Caracas during the raid, and Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek Saab stated that “innocents” had been mortally wounded during the operation. The United Nations also expressed alarm, warning that the U.S. operation could set a dangerous precedent and called on all parties in Venezuela to respect human rights and international law.

U.S. authorities allege that Maduro led a corrupt and illegitimate government that partnered with some of the world’s most violent drug traffickers, facilitating the smuggling of tons of cocaine into North America. Trump, meanwhile, indicated the U.S. would govern Venezuela temporarily, citing the country’s oil reserves as a key factor in its recovery plan.