Christian leaders across the world are rallying together in hope and a call to prayer, following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the Marxist Venezuelan president facing narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy charges.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pled not guilty during a court appearance Monday, after U.S. military commandos captured the couple during a night operation Jan. 3. Under the indictment, Maduro and other leaders in Venezuela “abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States.” Maduro and Flores were flown to New York after their capture.
Franklin Graham posted on social media following news of the capture: “Thank you President Donald J. Trump for what you’ve done for the people of Venezuela. The President is strategically working to protect our nation and better the lives of people around the world. He said in an interview this morning that illegal drugs flowing into the United States by ship is now reduced by 97%—that’s incredible, and we thank God! He said that our country was previously losing 300,000 lives a year to illicit drugs.”
Maduro’s indictments include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
“President Trump is trying to fix this tragedy and keep America from becoming like these countries that have been ruined by socialism, communism, corruption, crime, and drugs,” Franklin added. “Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse have worked for many years with churches in Venezuela—over 4,500 of them. Please pray for these congregations and ministers of the Gospel as they share the hope of Jesus Christ.”
The U.S. had accused Maduro of rigging the 2024 election and running a “narco-state.” During his court appearance in New York, Maduro reportedly told the judge, “I’m a decent man,” adding that he is “still the president of my country.”
At First Baptist Church of Orlando, Florida, hundreds of Venezuelans celebrated, sang, and prayed together on Sunday. Israel Martin, a pastor at the church, called the congregation to pray for the nation’s future.
“This is a day to pray for the future of Venezuela,” Martin said. “Friends and brothers, there is no longer a tyrant leading Venezuela.”
The Evangelical Confederation of Colombia, whose nation has taken in millions of refugees from Venezuela, released a statement calling Christians to pray for nationwide restoration.
“CEDECOL calls upon all churches and believers to unite in prayer so that God may take control of the nation, bring freedom, peace, justice and restoration to His people,” the group said. “We invite you to pray specifically that God will govern Venezuela with His wisdom and truth, guiding every decision made during this crucial time.”
