Venezuela crisis explained

What has happened?

On Saturday 3 January the US Military carried out attacks on four military bases in Venezuela, killing 80 people and leaving more than 90 injured, including civilians and Venezuelan and Cuban military. The country’s President, Nicolás Maduro, was seized and will now face indictment in New York on a range of charges related to drug trafficking and ‘narco-terrorism’.

The situation is complex and rapidly developing, but there are grave fears that this move could worsen instability in Venezuela and the ongoing conflict in Colombia, and may even lead to further attacks on other Latin American governments.

Many Venezuelans are already facing extreme challenges getting access to basic goods and services after years of depression and hyper-inflation pushing families to the brink. Around 8 million Venezuelans have left the country in the last five years.

How could this affect the wider region?

Colombia and Venezuela share more than 2,000 km of border, an area that is a stronghold for illegal armed groups and organized crime. Changes in Venezuela and direct control or influence from the US into the region will impact the internal armed conflict in Colombia’s border regions, with some armed groups already having put out statements of support for the Venezuelan government.

The Colombian government has declared a state of economic, social and environmental emergency in border regions to prepare for a potential humanitarian crisis or surge in refugees. Currently more than 3 million Venezuelans are in Colombia and mass influx is expected if Venezuela faces further instability. CAFOD has worked with Caritas Colombia for years on preparing and responding to emergencies, and we are monitoring the situation and stand ready to support any humanitarian crises that may arise from this attack.

Other countries also have Venezuelan migrants and refugees, including Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Central American counties.

What has the Catholic Church said?

Following the attack, Pope Leo called for peace and justice, and a path forward focused on the good of the Venezuelan people.

Caritas Internationalis, of which CAFOD is a member, also issued a statement following the attack.

How are CAFOD’s partners responding to this crisis and helping Venezuelans?

Our partners in South and Central America work to help people from countries across the region fleeing their homes because of violence or extreme poverty, including many Venezuelan families . They also support peace efforts in areas affected by conflict, and respond to emergencies and humanitarian crises within their territories and across borders.

Many of CAFOD’s trusted partners across Latin America have been supporting Venezuelan migrants and refugees, providing displaced families with shelter, food, protection and pastoral care.

Miriam, a local expert in Guatemala who works with migrant families from Venezuela said: “Here they find a place of hope, a new beginning, a new opportunity to rebuild their lives in the face of the difficulties they have encountered.”

With support from our partners in Guatemala, families receive shelter and food, legal guidance, and access to justice for human rights violations. One family is Leydi’s. She fled Venezuela with her children in 2024 because she could no longer feed them: “I couldn't feed my daughter, she was under weight, so we decided to leave our county.”

After a harrowing five days lost in the jungle without food, Leydi and her children arrived in Guatemala. There, our local partners welcomed them into shared housing with other migrants. Her children were able to attend school and receive meals – a first step towards safety and dignity.

Through our continued support to the global Caritas network and other Church organisations, CAFOD stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and those forced to flee, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.

How can you help?

Donate to our emergencies fund and help us reach people with urgent support as quickly as possible in times of crisis.