베네주엘라 주교회의 의장 우발도 산타나 대주교는 나라안에 만연된 폭력을 포기하라고 요구하였다.

산타나 대주교는 생명문제에 언급하여 “베네주엘라는 폭력사회가 되어왔다.인간생명의 신성한 가치와 인간존재의 바로 그 뜻을 빨리 잃어버려왔다. 우리(베네주엘라 사람들)는 중대한 정서적 영신적 문제에 직면하고 있으며, 공공의 정책(베네주엘라 정부)에 중대한 결함이 있다.”고 통탄하였다.

대주교는 베네주엘라 영토안에 와 있는 FARC(컬럼비아 공산혁명군)와 베네주엘라 컬럼비아 에쿠아돌 사이의 긴장관계를 언급하면서, “국경을 넘나드는 게릴라 그룹들의 존재와 활동은 용납될 수가 없다.”고 천명하였다.

 Caracas, Venezuela, Jan 12, 2010 (CNA).- The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Venezuela, Archbishop Ubaldo Santana, called for an end to the violence sweeping the nation and encouraged those living in the Americas to promote peace and unity.
 “Venezuela has become a violent society,” the archbishop said in his opening remarks for the 93rd Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference of Venezuela. “It is troubling to see the increase in the number of violent deaths in cities, rural areas and on our borders.”
 He added that the majority of the victims are children and young people.
 “Violence has overcome the country without distinction for political affiliation, social class or religion,” he continued.
 Turning to life issues, Archbishop Santana lamented the fact that “the sacred value of human life and the very meaning of existence has been quickly lost. We are facing a grave emotional and spiritual problem and a serious lack of strong public policies,” he said.
 The prelate then referred to the presence of FARC in the Venezuelan territory, as well as the increasing tensions existing between Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. “The presence and activity of guerilla groups who move about freely on our borders is unacceptable,” he said.
 “Faced with such a situation that threatens the peace and security of the these nations, the people of these three countries and of all of America should work to spread the Gospel and promote the value of human dignity as well as the sacred meaning of life,” Archbishop Santana stressed. “Everyone, without exception, should be deeply committed to promoting peace and unity,” he said.