Venezuela in the key of hope: Reflections by Jesuit priest Pedro Trigo on citizen responsibility

• The theologian participated in the Country Perspective 2024 discussion and also spoke about the paths that should be adopted based on national reconciliation

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By Luinerma Márquez Castellanos

Within the framework of the “Country Perspective 2024” conversations, organized by Medianalisis and the Gumilla Center, the Jesuit priest Pedro Trigo offered a deep reflection on the hope that still persists in the Venezuelan people after the presidential election on July 28.

Andrés Cañizález, director of Medianalysis, and Piero Trepiccione, deputy director of the Gumilla Center, moderated the meeting in which Trigo addressed key issues such as national reconciliation and the role of the Catholic Church in the current political situation in Venezuela.

Theologian Trigo highlighted that the Venezuelan people acted responsibly when analyzing and making decisions during the elections, regardless of the influences of political parties or the government.

“The people took responsibility for their condition as citizens,” he stated while underlining that although there was no official recognition by the government, the publication of more than 80% of the minutes reflects a different reality.

“That responsibility that emerged on July 28 must remain in force today,” he insisted, calling to continue responding to the complex reality of the country.

The official disenchantment in the popular sectors

Trigo, who has worked in the most vulnerable communities in Caracas, analyzed the change in the “perception of Chavismo” in these sectors. He responded to Cañizález’s question about the fate of “Chavismo,” pointing out that the late former president Hugo Chávez “had a gift for charming the people, a rare ability in politics.”

However, citizens have realized that this “enchantment” did not give them a true role as active subjects.

The priest also commented on the wear and tear of the government, suggesting that the most convenient thing for them would be to retire, since prolonging their mandate would only increase their wear and tear and make any future change difficult.

The Catholic Church and the hope of the people

Regarding the role of the Church today, Father Trigo proposed that the members of the institution not define themselves solely by their membership, but rather act as true Christians in their communities. “We must absolutize the absolute and relativize the relative,” he stated.

In response to Trepiccione’s question about the direction of Venezuelan hope, the priest summarized it in three axes: expectation, illusion and hope. He stressed that Christian hope is based on open interaction with others, fostering an environment where reciprocity and common well-being are the goal.

This cycle of conversations also has the support of Cotejo.info and the Venezuelan Fake News Observatory, initiatives dedicated to combating disinformation in the country.

For more details about Pedro Trigo’s analysis and his perspectives for the future of the country, you can access the recording of his participation in “Perspectiva País 2024” on the channel YouTube of Medianalysis.