While the U.S. strikes in Venezuela and the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro, which occurred early in the morning on Jan. 3, were received with joy and relief by many Venezuelan exiles in the United States, inside the country, most people reacted with caution, including the Church. The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference released a short statement on the crisis that said in part: In light of the events that our country is living through today, let us ask God to grant all Venezuelans serenity, wisdom, and strength.”
