Thank you for this, Patrick! As a venezuelan forced to leave my country and having suffered so many atrocities (I've faced hunger, seen murder, been pointed with a gun when I was 12 years old by paramilitary...) I could argue not only the US government has tried every other option to prevent this situation, but that we Venezuelans have tried EVERYTHING in our hands to put a stop to this dictatorship with no avail. I've only known my country under this regime and have prayed countless nights for God to send help. Anyone could argue this is not the best outcome, but it feels like the only way to finally stop this evil dictatorship Venezuela has been under for 20+ years.
Wasn't that the entire rationale for the US to support Zelensky, though? If Putin didn't have the right to supersede international norms by unilaterally invading Ukraine, a sovereign country, why does the US have the right to supersede international norms by unilaterally violating Venezuelan airspace & arresting its Head of State? Why does the U.S. have the right to enforce U.S. law on foreign soil, but Russia does not have the right to fend for its own security interests in a post-USSR world?
I think that's what Willy meant when he talks about "universal jurisdiction."
It shouldn't be really hard to recognize the US to be nothing but a terrorist nation. Your country has no claim to universal jurisdiction over the planet and it has no right to invade another country, bomb its capital and kidnap someone.
At least Trump and his group of bandits are being honest enough to say all of this is just about oil. If there really is something like a Just War, then I hope the venezuelans can defend their nation as much as they can against this shameful aggression.
There's nothing just about what happened. The US killed around 80 people, including innocent civilians, and now wants to spread its terror to Colombia as well.
The claim for a 'Just War' is not on your government's side.
I'm not a “gringo" and I won't stoop to your level using a racial slur against you.
A French source? They'd never share a fabricated tale.
If true, a tragedy. Compared to the massive American death toll from Venezuelan drugs and Tren de Aragua murderers?
If Venezuelan hospitals weren't depleted and understaffed she might have had proper medical care. But that's what happens when a country has been destroyed by a communist dictator.
This was a legitimate military action, not a war. One civilian death, if true, is astonishingly low and can be laid at the foot of the rich tyrant who seized power, crushed his country and refused to answer for it.
You can spit venom all you want at Trump, the US and anyone not willing to condemn this. It changes nothing. Welcome to the world in 2026.
It’s complete theater. Rumors of wars. Catholics should discuss why they spent $7 billion protecting a global coterie of pedophiles and expect to still be considered relevant. The Catholic Church has already shattered, and the pieces are falling to the ground like scandalon.
Toppling a sovereign government with no plan to feed a military industrial complex has nothing to do with Just War Theory. I think Augustine would understand Clausewitz’s maxim of war being a continuation of politics by other means. I mean, this isn’t Age of Empires man
Liberal Catholics will endlessly justify the BLM riots, a violent private revolt, despite dozens of innocents dying and hundreds of police officers getting injured, not to speak of other people getting injuries or general damages, but a targeted military strike to bring one specific individual to justice is entirely beyond the pale apparently.
Catholic teaching is MOST faithful when it pisses off everyone...when it condemns Maduro's narco state AND Trump's illegal invasion, when it makes MAGA Catholics admit their guy violated just war criteria, when it makes progressives admit Maduro runs a murderous regime.
Your approach does neither. It creates space for comfortable disagreement.
I think this is a good start to think through the ethics of this action. I think it would further help if the just war theory also utilized the doctrine of double effect. There were other factors also prompting US limited intervention. The Venezuelan junta contracted with both our most powerful nemeses (China and Russia) to facilitate resources and bases of operation from which to counter US interests.
From a national security perspective, eliminating/removing a head of state cooperative with our geostrategic foes and causing a change in leadership would deter/alter their ability to deploy military assets against our country, much in the same way that we blockaded Cuba when the Soviets attempted to put nukes there.
Recall that the ability of other countries to do grave harm utilizing various technologies is proliferating, e.g. drones, hypersonic weapons, Ballistic Missiles. Indeed there were indications that drones capable of delivering payloads that could reach the US was now a reality with an active manufacturing facility there. Similarly with hypersonic missiles.
Certainly contrary to this assertion is the same complaint that the US is no longer engaged in similar generous (but not altruistically) recreation of postwar Europe, Japan or Korea in defense of Republican (the concept, not party; and no, not democracy which is a Marxian fraud) Liberty against Socialism/Communism which previously was seen largely in the same way by the US as the Catholic Church- an evil ideology. Rather, many could claim that with the export of Marxist-Freudian-nietzschean inspired culture we cannot assert any of our previous moral grounding in the international sphere anymore.
Should we minimally tacitly support both prudent and imprudent conduct that benefits our national community? We are certainly expected to tacitly support our more local leaders when they make prudent or imprudent decisions (though certainly not evil ones). That doesn’t mean we aren’t trying to encourage the decisions to be more prudent (before and after). But imprudence doesn’t necessarily mean the desire to do evil.
Just War, in the shifting sands of international gamesmanship, is a high bar most countries (especially superpowers) will likely fail. Particularly since all countries are generally interested in what will perpetuate, benefit or increase itself. Some actions that threaten populations, resources and interests may warrant military intervention if other state tools fail.
Much like trying to sort out what to do more locally, there are few instances of the binary choice between good and evil in one’s personal, or communal life, but more frequently the difficulty of choosing between various kinds and volumes of good/right action (if such choices could be categorized in such ways). Prudential judgment guided by the other cardinal and theological virtues would be critical to any decision making. We don’t teach these virtues much anymore, but then historically it would seem they likely received little regard from most leaders anyway.
Finally, we live in a world that doesn’t really adhere to an international rules-based order. How then does a nation ensure its existence if often might makes life more likely to exist, but also difficult for those who possess less might?
This is just another confusing article on the theory of the Just War Doctrine. The bottomline, Venezuela did not did not pose threat. We have a situation in Palestine that is much more grievous. The Ukraine War is a sham. The US government currently an evil entity. A 35 trillion dollar, absence of morality, death is the quickest way to solve a problem.
Salvation is personal responsibility. As a Catholic and retired US Marine, I denounce the Trump administration and its zionist bedfellow for inducing hate and labeling certain human beings as "unneccesary". I am protecting my own house and joyfully wait for my particular judgements. O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a poor sinner.
-The principle is straightforward. Only those entrusted with the common good can commit a nation to war. A private citizen, no matter how wealthy or influential, cannot declare war. Neither can a rogue general. The authority must be legitimate.-
All good but I would add: Maduro was no longer a head of states recognized by many countries. There is very strong evidence he stole the last election to Edmundo Gonzalez. He was an usurper who never allowed to disclose proof of the actual results of the 2024 election. This is an important fact to consider when saying that "he was a head of state"
Fantastic Patrick! Even though Maduro despised the Church, it is important that we treat him and the view on this through Catholic Social Teaching. It offers the most mercy to the victim and puts the majority of the work on the Just Party. Well said. Either way something’s passed the sniff and some didn’t.
Thank you for this, Patrick! As a venezuelan forced to leave my country and having suffered so many atrocities (I've faced hunger, seen murder, been pointed with a gun when I was 12 years old by paramilitary...) I could argue not only the US government has tried every other option to prevent this situation, but that we Venezuelans have tried EVERYTHING in our hands to put a stop to this dictatorship with no avail. I've only known my country under this regime and have prayed countless nights for God to send help. Anyone could argue this is not the best outcome, but it feels like the only way to finally stop this evil dictatorship Venezuela has been under for 20+ years.
Wasn't that the entire rationale for the US to support Zelensky, though? If Putin didn't have the right to supersede international norms by unilaterally invading Ukraine, a sovereign country, why does the US have the right to supersede international norms by unilaterally violating Venezuelan airspace & arresting its Head of State? Why does the U.S. have the right to enforce U.S. law on foreign soil, but Russia does not have the right to fend for its own security interests in a post-USSR world?
I think that's what Willy meant when he talks about "universal jurisdiction."
The US isn’t at war with Venezuela.
It shouldn't be really hard to recognize the US to be nothing but a terrorist nation. Your country has no claim to universal jurisdiction over the planet and it has no right to invade another country, bomb its capital and kidnap someone.
At least Trump and his group of bandits are being honest enough to say all of this is just about oil. If there really is something like a Just War, then I hope the venezuelans can defend their nation as much as they can against this shameful aggression.
This is naive. You need no “universal jurisdiction” for a war to be just.
There's nothing just about what happened. The US killed around 80 people, including innocent civilians, and now wants to spread its terror to Colombia as well.
The claim for a 'Just War' is not on your government's side.
Prove that civilians were killed. And Reddit is not a valid source of proof.
I'm not your employee, gringo. But since you don't know how to use Google, I'll do you a favor this time.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260105-clearing-bomb-wreckage-venezuelan-mourns-aunt-killed-in-us-raid
I'm not a “gringo" and I won't stoop to your level using a racial slur against you.
A French source? They'd never share a fabricated tale.
If true, a tragedy. Compared to the massive American death toll from Venezuelan drugs and Tren de Aragua murderers?
If Venezuelan hospitals weren't depleted and understaffed she might have had proper medical care. But that's what happens when a country has been destroyed by a communist dictator.
This was a legitimate military action, not a war. One civilian death, if true, is astonishingly low and can be laid at the foot of the rich tyrant who seized power, crushed his country and refused to answer for it.
You can spit venom all you want at Trump, the US and anyone not willing to condemn this. It changes nothing. Welcome to the world in 2026.
Sure, believe the orange man and his cabal of pedophiles as much as you want. It's your problem.
It’s complete theater. Rumors of wars. Catholics should discuss why they spent $7 billion protecting a global coterie of pedophiles and expect to still be considered relevant. The Catholic Church has already shattered, and the pieces are falling to the ground like scandalon.
Toppling a sovereign government with no plan to feed a military industrial complex has nothing to do with Just War Theory. I think Augustine would understand Clausewitz’s maxim of war being a continuation of politics by other means. I mean, this isn’t Age of Empires man
Liberal Catholics will endlessly justify the BLM riots, a violent private revolt, despite dozens of innocents dying and hundreds of police officers getting injured, not to speak of other people getting injuries or general damages, but a targeted military strike to bring one specific individual to justice is entirely beyond the pale apparently.
Catholic teaching is MOST faithful when it pisses off everyone...when it condemns Maduro's narco state AND Trump's illegal invasion, when it makes MAGA Catholics admit their guy violated just war criteria, when it makes progressives admit Maduro runs a murderous regime.
Your approach does neither. It creates space for comfortable disagreement.
I think this is a good start to think through the ethics of this action. I think it would further help if the just war theory also utilized the doctrine of double effect. There were other factors also prompting US limited intervention. The Venezuelan junta contracted with both our most powerful nemeses (China and Russia) to facilitate resources and bases of operation from which to counter US interests.
From a national security perspective, eliminating/removing a head of state cooperative with our geostrategic foes and causing a change in leadership would deter/alter their ability to deploy military assets against our country, much in the same way that we blockaded Cuba when the Soviets attempted to put nukes there.
Recall that the ability of other countries to do grave harm utilizing various technologies is proliferating, e.g. drones, hypersonic weapons, Ballistic Missiles. Indeed there were indications that drones capable of delivering payloads that could reach the US was now a reality with an active manufacturing facility there. Similarly with hypersonic missiles.
Certainly contrary to this assertion is the same complaint that the US is no longer engaged in similar generous (but not altruistically) recreation of postwar Europe, Japan or Korea in defense of Republican (the concept, not party; and no, not democracy which is a Marxian fraud) Liberty against Socialism/Communism which previously was seen largely in the same way by the US as the Catholic Church- an evil ideology. Rather, many could claim that with the export of Marxist-Freudian-nietzschean inspired culture we cannot assert any of our previous moral grounding in the international sphere anymore.
Should we minimally tacitly support both prudent and imprudent conduct that benefits our national community? We are certainly expected to tacitly support our more local leaders when they make prudent or imprudent decisions (though certainly not evil ones). That doesn’t mean we aren’t trying to encourage the decisions to be more prudent (before and after). But imprudence doesn’t necessarily mean the desire to do evil.
Just War, in the shifting sands of international gamesmanship, is a high bar most countries (especially superpowers) will likely fail. Particularly since all countries are generally interested in what will perpetuate, benefit or increase itself. Some actions that threaten populations, resources and interests may warrant military intervention if other state tools fail.
Much like trying to sort out what to do more locally, there are few instances of the binary choice between good and evil in one’s personal, or communal life, but more frequently the difficulty of choosing between various kinds and volumes of good/right action (if such choices could be categorized in such ways). Prudential judgment guided by the other cardinal and theological virtues would be critical to any decision making. We don’t teach these virtues much anymore, but then historically it would seem they likely received little regard from most leaders anyway.
Finally, we live in a world that doesn’t really adhere to an international rules-based order. How then does a nation ensure its existence if often might makes life more likely to exist, but also difficult for those who possess less might?
This is just another confusing article on the theory of the Just War Doctrine. The bottomline, Venezuela did not did not pose threat. We have a situation in Palestine that is much more grievous. The Ukraine War is a sham. The US government currently an evil entity. A 35 trillion dollar, absence of morality, death is the quickest way to solve a problem.
Salvation is personal responsibility. As a Catholic and retired US Marine, I denounce the Trump administration and its zionist bedfellow for inducing hate and labeling certain human beings as "unneccesary". I am protecting my own house and joyfully wait for my particular judgements. O Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a poor sinner.
Kyrie elieson
Christi elieson
Kyrie elieson
O Loed Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a poor sinner.
-The principle is straightforward. Only those entrusted with the common good can commit a nation to war. A private citizen, no matter how wealthy or influential, cannot declare war. Neither can a rogue general. The authority must be legitimate.-
Doesn't this invalidate the Revolutionary War?
All good but I would add: Maduro was no longer a head of states recognized by many countries. There is very strong evidence he stole the last election to Edmundo Gonzalez. He was an usurper who never allowed to disclose proof of the actual results of the 2024 election. This is an important fact to consider when saying that "he was a head of state"
Fantastic Patrick! Even though Maduro despised the Church, it is important that we treat him and the view on this through Catholic Social Teaching. It offers the most mercy to the victim and puts the majority of the work on the Just Party. Well said. Either way something’s passed the sniff and some didn’t.