Venezuela (MNN) — People across Venezuela have largely sheltered in place following the United States’ abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Saturday.
“They’re being cautious, trying to just keep [at] minimum going out,” says Annabel Muscarella. She serves as Trans World Radio’s International Director of Latin America and Caribbean Hispanic Ministry.
“[On] Sunday, some churches didn’t have services. But most people just went out to buy food and medicines and some gas, [so] that they can be ready for anything that could happen.”
(Stock photo courtesy of Luisana Zerpa via Unsplash)
Things moved swiftly in the US. On Monday, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges in a New York City court. Their next hearing is set for March 17.
On the same day as the first hearing, the United Nations Security Council called an emergency meeting in New York City. Delegates from China, Russia, and Colombia condemned the U.S.’s military actions as illegal. Other members of the Security Council emphasized the importance of upholding international law.
Meanwhile, in Venezuela itself, “You have to be very, very cautious because there isn’t a clear understanding of who is running the country,” says Muscarella. “We know there is a vice president [Delcy Rodriguez]. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen in the next few days. That’s the feeling you can sense when you talk with people that live in Venezuela.”
Find your place in the story
Pray for wisdom for political leaders to make just decisions. Pray for peace in Venezuela, says Muscarella. “For now, praying for their safety and [for] people to stay calm and peaceful, I think that will help this situation.”
(Photo courtesy Radio Trans Mundial de Venezuela)
Pray also for strength, wisdom, and discernment for churches and their pastors in Venezuela. “I have many, many friends — pastors, friends — there. They don’t stop. They don’t stop sharing the gospel,” Muscarella says.
Gospel ministry continues at Radio Trans Mundial Venezuela, a Spanish branch of Trans World Radio. “There is that freedom still in Venezuela to share the good news with kids and their parents,” says Muscarella.
“Don’t wait to help,” she adds. If you feel led to send a message to communities in Venezuela or even to send financial aid in some way, she says you can reach out to Trans World Radio. “That helps, because we are in contact with them [Venezuelans], and we can on your behalf help them.”
Header photo: Caracas, Venezuela (Stock photo courtesy of Bona Lee via Unsplash).
