PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – In a significant regional intervention, the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) has declared Thursday a Caribbean Day of Prayer, urging Roman Catholics across the archipelago to seek divine intervention for peace and stability. The appeal comes amid escalating military activities in Caribbean waters that threaten regional harmony.
The AEC, representing 19 dioceses across 13 sovereign nations and numerous overseas territories, has positioned itself as a moral voice in growing geopolitical tensions. Archbishop Jason Gordon of Port of Spain, serving as AEC president, issued a comprehensive statement advocating for diplomatic solutions over military confrontation.
Archbishop Gordon specifically addressed governments with Caribbean interests, including the United States, Venezuela, and CARICOM member states, urging them to prioritize dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation over force and intimidation. The religious leader expressed particular concern about the fragmentation of regional unity, calling for an urgent CARICOM summit to address divisive geopolitical disputes.
The archbishop’s statement highlighted the rapid deterioration of regional stability since the AEC’s initial warning about military build-ups in October. What was previously identified as a troubling presence has evolved into active military operations featuring tanker seizures, expanded naval assets, and restrictive airspace measures that directly impact civilian populations.
Citing the Caribbean’s longstanding designation as a Zone of Peace, the AEC leadership expressed alarm about developments that threaten human dignity and regional stability. The statement referenced recent lethal maritime incidents, blockade operations, and intensified surveillance activities that endanger innocent lives and exacerbate humanitarian suffering, particularly in Venezuela.
While acknowledging states’ legitimate responsibility to combat transnational crime and uphold international law, the AEC emphatically stated that militarization cannot achieve lasting security. The conference warned that heightened military operations by global powers or regional actors foster mistrust, disrupt economies, and disproportionately endanger vulnerable populations.
The AEC expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, acknowledging their desire for democratic renewal and institutional integrity. Archbishop Gordon emphasized that Venezuela’s quest for justice and peace deserves respectful attention from the Caribbean Community, particularly during this critical juncture in the nation’s history.