Pope Leo Calls for Dialogue Amid Rising U.S.–Venezuela Tensions

Pope Leo, the first pontiff in history to hail from the United States, on Tuesday urged peaceful alternatives to ease mounting tensions between Venezuela and the U.S., even as President Donald Trump signaled the possibility of expanding military operations onto land as part of an anti–drug trafficking campaign in the region.

Speaking with reporters aboard the Papal flight, Pope Leo said both the local bishops and the Vatican’s Nuncio were actively seeking ways to de-escalate the situation.
“…Mostly for the good of the people, because very often it’s the people who suffer in these situations and not the authorities,” he noted.

Pope Leo, originally from Chicago and elected following the death of Pope Francis, commented on the fluctuating signals coming from Washington amid a growing U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean Sea. He stressed that dialogue—and, if necessary, non-military forms of pressure—should be prioritised.
“The voices coming from the United States change quite often. On one hand, it seems there was a call between the two presidents. On the other hand, there is the possibility there will be some activity, some military operation,” he said.
“I don’t know more. But once again, I believe it is better to seek dialogue, maybe pressure, including economic pressure, but to search for other ways if change is what the United States is pursuing.”

Since August, the U.S. has deployed several warships, 15,000 troops, and the USS Ford aircraft carrier to the Caribbean as part of efforts to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the country. Operation Southern Spear, run by the U.S. Department of War, has reportedly carried out at least 21 deadly strikes on vessels suspected of transporting narcotics, resulting in 82 fatalities. The operation has faced scrutiny from legal experts and human rights advocates questioning its compliance with international law.
Despite the criticism, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the campaign had “only begun” to sink what he described as “narcoterrorist” boats.

President Trump, who reportedly spoke by phone with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last week, said on Tuesday that further U.S. action—including land-based strikes—remains possible.
“If they come in through a certain country, or if we think they are building mills for fentanyl or cocaine… anybody doing that and selling it to our country is subject to attack. Not just Venezuela,” he said.