In a bid to address escalating tensions in Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro has reached out to Pope Leo XIV for assistance in maintaining peace and stability within the South American nation. Maduro made this announcement during his weekly televised address, revealing that he had sent a letter to the pontiff expressing his hopes for Vatican mediation. However, details of the correspondence remain undisclosed, and the government’s press office has yet to release the document. This appeal comes amid heightened military actions by the United States in the Caribbean, where four deadly strikes have been conducted since last month, targeting alleged drug-trafficking operations. The most recent strike, occurring on Friday, resulted in four fatalities. President Donald Trump has characterized these operations as part of an ‘armed conflict’ with cartels, asserting that drug traffickers are unlawful combatants requiring military intervention. This stance has sparked debates over the extent of presidential war powers and the need for congressional approval. Maduro has consistently accused the U.S. of orchestrating these actions to destabilize his government and force his removal from power.