UMC Bishops Support Latin America and Caribbean Bishops on Venezuela

Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church 

Statement of Support from Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church In Response to the CIEMAL Pastoral Letter on Venezuela

January 7, 2026

The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church stands in full solidarity with The Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America and the Caribbean (CIEMAL) and wholeheartedly affirms their Pastoral Letter in the Face of the Military Action of the United States of America Against Venezuela.

We join our Methodist siblings across Latin America and the Caribbean in condemning all acts of violence, military aggression, and violations of national sovereignty. As followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we reject every ideology and action that diminishes the sacred worth of human life or deepens cycles of fear, instability, and injustice.

As our Social Principles guide us: “The church deplores war and all other forms of violent conflict and urges the peaceful settlement of all disputes. We yearn for the day when there will be no more war and people will live together in peace and justice. We reject the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy and insist that every peaceful and diplomatic means of resolution be exhausted before the start of armed conflicts.”

Violence cannot heal violence. We denounce all forms of dictatorship, oppression, and assaults on human dignity—wherever they occur and by whomever they are perpetrated.

We urge United Methodists around the world to unite in prayer for the Venezuelan people and for all communities affected by violence and instability. We call upon our congregations, clergy, and mission partners, to remain attentive to emerging humanitarian needs and to embody Christ’s light in the midst of suffering.

We reaffirm our commitment to justice, peace, and the healing of the nations. May God’s grace, mercy, and steadfast love guide us as we “seek peace and pursue it…” (Hebrews 12:14a)

In Christ’s peace,

Bishop Tracy S. Malone
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

Click here to read the PDF version of the COB statement

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