The bishops disowned the "indiscriminate" way the Liberation of the People operates and that "the government authorities have not fulfilled their duty to prevent the violation of human rights" that have been committed "throughout the entire country."
They also criticized the "haughty and deaf attitude of the government authorities" who "refuse to abide by international jurisprudence" as well as the recommendations of NGOs "to respect and guarantee human rights". They likewise denounced the "bellicose, aggressive, and discriminatory language" that justifies the denial of human dignity "and legitimizes the ongoing use of violence as a means to solve the problems that are affecting society."
They therefore urged the public authorities to put "into actual effect the laws and regulations developed by the Inter-American Convention on the Forced Disappearance of Persons and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance."
They also encouraged Catholics and people of good will to be "defenders and cultivators of human life in all its stages; not participating in or collaborating in actions that attack the right to life, thus fulfilling their duty as Christians and citizens that build and work for peace" as well as "rejecting all language" that legitimizes "violence and the counterculture of death."
Finally, they expressed their solidarity "with the relatives of the 12 murdered youths, for whom we persistently pray to God, that he may give them strength and consolation in these painful moments and that he would allow swift and effective justice, that leaves no room for impunity."
The Public Ministry reported Dec. 7 that they will charge Major Luis Eduardo Romero Arcia and Captain Daniel Contreras Primera, both of the Venezuelan Army, for alleged responsibility for the torture and subsequent death of the 12 persons.