The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) condemns the Trump Administration’s military strikes overnight against the country of Venezuela, done with the express purpose of capturing its president, Nicolás Maduro, and seizing control of the country in violation of international laws. These actions were taken after months of U.S. military harassment resulting in the deaths of Venezuelan civilians and undertaken without involvement of Congress, according to published reports. As people of faith and conscience, it is essential to speak out now as this situation quickly escalates, creating dangers across the Hemisphere.

Unitarian Universalists (UUs) believe that these actions violate our shared religious values – particularly of interdependence and pluralism – and principles, which UUs affirm for themselves and for society. In a Statement of Conscience passed in 2010, “Creating Peace,” UUs proclaimed that “all people share a moral responsibility to create peace.” That statement also said that UUs “repudiate aggressive and preventive wars, the disproportionate use of force, covert wars, and targeting that includes a high risk to civilians” and called for peacemaking efforts at all levels of human interaction. These actions by the Trump Administration are precisely the kind of abuse of power via military aggression that UUs have condemned throughout the denomination’s 200-year history.

The UUA has long supported the centrality of human rights and international law in addressing conflicts between nations. These rights are essential for safeguarding human dignity and agency, arising from the innate worthiness of every soul. Unitarians were involved in the creation of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and UUs continue to affirm the values in that document. In 1982, UUs passed a General Resolution supporting the “Law of the Sea” Treaty, which became the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and helps to peacefully resolve conflicts in international waters. UUs also supported the creation of the International Criminal Court in an Action of Immediate Witness in 2002.

As individuals, and through organizations like the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, UUs have shown their commitment to creating peace that is just and equitable for all people across the globe. This action by the Trump Administration, which is supported neither by Congress nor the American people, is in opposition to the principle of a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all that UUs have professed for decades.

As the current Administration continues to consolidate power, violate domestic and international law, and trample the human rights of people both in the U.S. and abroad, we pray for the safety of all who are in harm’s way. The people of Venezuela have the right, as all people do, to safety and self-determination. We urge our elected leaders and the courts to exercise definitive moral leadership to swiftly curtail these abuses of power and prevent this Administration from causing further loss of life and violations of international law. And we raise our voices and pledge our active solidarity along with all people of faith and conscience who will, in the coming days and weeks, put values into action in the pursuit of peace, justice, and freedom for all our neighbors at home and around the world.

//End