Cardinals Baltazar Porras and Diego Padrón, along with Monsignor Ramón Ovidio Pérez Morales, issued a statement on Monday, August 10, 2026, in which they greet "with goodwill and hope" the beginning of conversations between the interim government and representatives of the National Assembly elected in 2015.
The three clergymen clarify that they speak in a personal capacity, "as an expression of our civic conscience and Christian moral responsibility," and not on behalf of the Church. They point out that the dialogue is taking place under "very peculiar conditions": it is an initiative promoted and overseen from abroad (under the tutelage of the United States government), in the absence of the opposition political representation they consider more legitimate, without a recognized technical body as a facilitator, and with opacity in institutional and logistical details.
The text links the moment to the political and social crisis that, they affirm, has been dragging on for more than a quarter of a century and worsened with the seismic twin events of June 24, "with the painful experience of official inertia and indifference" during that emergency. In this context, they call for "attentive listening and alignment with the needs and expectations of the people" and urge a basic understanding among all sectors — economic, political-social, and ethical-cultural — for the "comprehensive reconstruction of the country."
The emeritus bishops believe that the table should gradually incorporate political groups, academies, universities, Churches, and other civil society organizations, in order to build a unified national project oriented toward the common good and a transition to democratic institutionalism.
As concrete signs of progress, they propose the immediate release of political prisoners, the end of the "communication hegemony," and the organization of a presidential election "by the exclusive act of the sovereign," in accordance with article 5 of the Constitution. They also insist on urgently responding to the economic, social, and educational crisis: fair wages, health services, housing, schooling, and regular supplies of water, electricity, and internet.
"Things and institutions matter, but it is a priority for us Venezuelans to reunite in an environment of freedom, unity, and solidarity so that we can achieve peace," they emphasize. They add that this process amounts to a "national re-foundation," an idea that the Venezuelan Episcopate has proposed on other occasions.
The prelates offer to monitor the work of the commission "as a civic and spiritual service, loyal and impartial."