CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela’s Roman Catholic Church accused President Nicolas Maduro’s government yesterday of “totalitarian” tendencies and “brutal repression” of demonstrators during two months of political unrest that has killed several dozen people.
The surprisingly strong attack is likely to revive church-state tensions that were constant during the 14-year socialist rule of Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
Monsignor Diego Padron, who heads Venezuela’s conference of bishops, said the “principal cause” of the crisis was the government’s attempt to implant a blueprint for government that Chavez left behind called “the fatherland plan.”
“Within it they are hiding the promotion of a totalitarian-style system of government, putting in doubt its democratic credentials,” he said, reading a church communique.
Though defending students’ and others’ right to protest, the Church condemned both the demonstrators’ tactic of barricading roads and the state’s “brutal repression” of dissidence.
Protesters have been on the streets since early February calling for Maduro’s resignation and complaining about a litany of problems from rampant crime to food shortages.
The government says they are seeking a coup against Maduro.
Chavez for years painted Venezuela’s Catholic hierarchy as being in league with his foes among the nation’s political elite, and was furious at their endorsement of a brief-lived coup against him. Chavez died last year.
