Puerto Rico: The Catholic Bishops of Puerto Rico have issued a strong statement opposing the rapid militarization of the island and surrounding Caribbean waters by the United States, cautioning that such actions could inflame tensions and potentially spark a wider conflict involving Venezuela and its global allies.
The bishops highlighted repeated papal appeals for peace from Pope Leo XIV, Pope Francis, and St. John XXIII while drawing attention to the practical and humanitarian consequences of large-scale military operations. They noted that the surge in U.S. deployments has already disrupted daily life, citing restrictions on airspace and maritime routes, as well as military maneuvers that have impacted fishing communities across Puerto Rico.
Over recent weeks, the Trump administration has moved approximately 15,000 troops into the Caribbean region, with 5,000 stationed in Puerto Rico. Multiple naval vessels have also arrived, and U.S. forces have reportedly destroyed several boats suspected of carrying narcotics, resulting in more than 80 deaths, according to CNN.
Washington claims the buildup is aimed at pressuring Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom U.S. authorities accuse of leading the Cartel de los Soles, designated in the U.S. as a terrorist organization. President Trump confirmed he held a phone conversation with Maduro on November 30, but offered no additional details.
In their joint communiqué, Puerto Rican bishops expressed firm opposition to any drift toward armed conflict:
“War is never the answer. It brings only death, destruction, and long-lasting wounds to nations especially to the most vulnerable.”
While acknowledging corruption and injustice across several regional political systems, the bishops stressed that dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation must remain the primary tools for resolving tensions. They also voiced deep concern about potential chain reactions if hostilities escalate, warning that Venezuela’s strategic partners Russia, China, and Iran could be drawn into a broader confrontation.
Standing in solidarity with the Venezuelan bishops and the Venezuelan people, they urged the faithful to pray for stability across Latin America:
“Our brothers and sisters in Venezuela have endured years of division, uncertainty, and hardship conditions now worsened by rising military mobilization.”
Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s governor, Jenniffer González, voiced strong support for the U.S. strategy. In comments to the Spanish news agency EFE, she endorsed President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s approach to Venezuela, asserting that much of Puerto Rico’s criminal activity originates from Venezuela and Colombia. She also defended U.S. operations targeting drug-carrying vessels and reiterated that Maduro is not recognized by the U.S. government due to alleged election fraud.
González claimed that 82% of Puerto Ricans support the troop presence, believing it enhances local security, and dismissed concerns that Venezuela would retaliate militarily against the island.
As geopolitical tensions grow, the Puerto Rican bishops continue to call for prudence, restraint, and unwavering commitment to peace warning that the Caribbean cannot afford to become a battleground in a global power struggle.