Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued a letter to the Venezuelan people on Sunday with an urgent call for peace and national unity. The text, written in the context of Palm Sunday, marks his second public statement since his capture by U.S. forces in Caracas during an operation last January. The letter, jointly signed with his wife Cilia Flores, appeals to feelings of concordance and sincere reconciliation. The document was originally circulated through the official account of deputy Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the son of the Chavista leader. In its lines, the couple requested that Venezuela become a space for prayer and respect, urging citizens to cleanse their hearts of any trace of hatred or division. “May there be national unity, reunion between all, sincere reconciliation and peace with justice for our homeland,” Maduro and Flores expressed in the communiqué. The message stands out for its marked religious tone, using numerous biblical quotes to reinforce a stance of absolute faith in the face of adversity. The senders assured they are in a state of serenity and permanent prayer, describing their current situation as a “trial” that requires spiritual firmness rather than despair. The legal landscape in the United States This statement comes just days after a crucial hearing in a New York court. The legal process against the couple includes the following critical points: Charges: U.S. justice accuses them of alleged crimes linked to drug trafficking and the use of firearms. Defense's position: Both have categorically rejected the accusations and maintain the plea of innocence formally filed on January 5. Court decision: Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected last Thursday a motion from the defense that sought to dismiss the case entirely. Legal funding: The court promised to rule soon on the validity of the Venezuelan government covering the fees of the representative lawyers. The previous Saturday, Maduro used his account on social media X to confirm that both he and his wife remain firm and calm. The Sunday letter concludes with an exhortation to trust in the divine, establishing a communicational line that prioritizes religious fervor and resilience as the trial progresses on U.S. territory.
