Cardinal Parolin Has Allegedly Tried to Secure a Negotiated Exit for Maduro
Cardinal Parolin served as apostolic nuncio to Venezuela from 2009 to 2013.
He wanted to push for a diplomatic solution that would allow the Venezuelan leader to step aside without bloodshed.
Lack of Clarity of US Endgame in Venezuela
Cardinal Parolin conceded that Nicolás Maduro had to go, but urged the United States to offer him a safe exit. He warned that a violent escalation risked severe regional destabilization.
He reportedly asked whether the United States was targeting "drug traffickers" or pursuing regime change.
According to "anonymous sources", Cardinal Parolin suggested that the United States set a clear deadline for Maduro’s departure and provide assurances for his family.
He also expressed that he was “very, very, very puzzled by the lack of clarity of the U.S. endgame in Venezuela.”
Asylum in Moscow
In the days leading up to the U.S. operation, Cardinal Parolin reportedly sought direct contact with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an effort to buy time for negotiations.
During these exchanges, he informed U.S. officials that Russia was prepared to grant asylum to Maduro, with personal security guarantees reportedly offered by President Vladimir Putin himself.
Offer Rejected
Parolin believed that Maduro had been willing to give up power after the disputed July 2024 elections but was persuaded by his inner circle that doing so would likely jeopardize both him and his closest allies.
He was captured, and about 100 people were killed.
Vatican Disputes Leaked Account
The Holy See told WashingtonPost.com that leaked excerpts from a confidential conversation did not accurately reflect either the content or the spirit of the Christmas-period discussions.
Picture: Maduro, Parolin © wikipedia CC BY-SA, #newsCezkmupsqr