Background: On January 3, the Trump administration bombed and invaded Venezuela and forcibly extracted President Nicolás Maduro. Reporting suggests 80 people were killed during the operation, including dozens of civilians. This is in addition to the over 115 people killed in air strikes on boats allegedly trafficking drugs off the coast of South America.   

The U.S. maintains a substantial number of warships, planes, and personnel in the Caribbean Sea and President Trump has threatened leaders of other Latin American countries like Colombia, Cuba and Mexico. According to Trump, the U.S. is going to “run” Venezuela and extract oil for the foreseeable future. The history of U.S. intervention in the hemisphere demonstrates that an occupation of Venezuela or attacks on other countries could lead to more conflict, instability and chaos.  

While MCC does not have partners in Venezuela, there are Anabaptist churches — and military violence anywhere in the world weighs heavily on our hearts. The Mennonite church of Colombia issued a statement calling for an end to the violence and expressing their support for Venezuelan sovereignty. 

On January 14, the Senate voted down S.J.Res.98 to assert congressional authority over military activity within and against Venezuela.

Faith Reflection: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV) 

Action: Urge your members of Congress to support future War Powers Resolutions

Photo above: Páramo landscape outside of Bogotá, Colombia. MCC photo/Rebekah York

Updated January 21, 2026