Venezuela
March 20th

“Venezuela, blessed are the poor in spirit!”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven(Matthew 5:3,NIV).

》 Country Profile

Continent | America
Population | 29.79 million
Area | 912,050㎢ Located between Colombia and Guyana on the Caribbean coast of northern South America.
Capital City | Caracas (2.95 million people)
People Groups | Total 66 groups Hispanic 92.2%, Guajiro 1.3%, Chinese 1.2%, Portuguese 0.6%
People Groups Unreached |  3 (0.1% of the population)
Languages | Spanish
Total Languages | 51
Bible Translations | Completed 15, New Testament 21, Partial 7
Religion | Christian 82.6% (Protestant 5%, Catholic 72%), Non-religious 14.8%, Ethnic religion 1.7% Evangelical 12.2% 3.55 million people

》 About Venezuela

Venezuela was under Spanish rule from 1498 and gained independence in 1811, becoming part of the Gran Colombia federation. In 1830, it became the Republic of Venezuela. After many revolutions and harsh dictatorships, a stable democracy was established in 1958. However, corruption led to frequent riots and coups. Hugo Chávez took power after a military coup and ruled from 1999 to 2013 with a socialist government. His successor, Nicolás Maduro, strengthened his control and increasingly became a dictator. In 2019, the opposition exploded after a budget dispute, declaring Maduro’s presidency illegal and establishing Juan Guaidó as interim president. Around 50 countries, including the U.S. and Western European nations, recognized Guaidó’s government, while China and Russia supported Maduro. Maduro has taken control of all institutions and severely restricted freedom of speech and the press. By 2020, about 5 million people had fled to other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean due to the breakdown of security (Venezuela had the highest murder rate in the world from 2016 to 2021), with armed gangs increasingly taking control and creating chaos.

Venezuela’s economy is heavily dependent on its oil industry, which has the eighth-largest reserves in the world and ranks eleventh in production. Oil accounts for 62% of the country’s GDP and 78% of government revenue. In the past, the government provided free oil products and low-cost services like electricity, water, and essentials due to high oil prices. However, since oil prices fell in 2014, the economy has deteriorated significantly. This decline has made worse by limited access to U.S. dollars, strict price controls, and labor regulations, leading many American and multinational companies to reduce or halt their operations in Venezuela. By 2017, the GDP had contracted by 12%, and inflation soared above 2000%, resulting in severe shortages of food and medicine. Additionally, the central bank’s reserves dwindled. The government’s inflationary policies and market controls have fueled corruption and a booming black market, with hyperinflation reaching an astounding 8000% in 2019.
Venezuela’s GDP per capita is approximately $7,704.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. 72% of Venezuela’s population is Catholic, but less than 10% attend mass regularly. Many people are more focused on material things, and there is spiritual confusion. Some even turn to witchcraft and spiritual practices, while a few wealthy people are influenced by New Age beliefs and Satanism. Evangelical churches have grown since the 1980s, now making up 12% of the population. These churches have had a positive impact on society and politics, with many poor people responding to the gospel. Let’s pray for unity in these churches through groups like the Evangelical Council of Venezuela and DAWN Ministries, asking that Venezuela, despite its political and economic challenges, will turn to the Gospel and experience the blessings of God’s kingdom.

2. In 2005, some left-wing politicians and Catholic priests opposed ministries working with 30 indigenous tribes, which led the government to stop missions from organizations like New Tribes Mission (NTM) and Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). Political unrest has made it difficult for missionaries to work in Venezuela, and the government rarely issues religious visas. Churches like Foursquare Church, YWAM, Horizontes, and Kairos are training local missionaries to continue helping those in need. Let’s pray that these churches will keep raising up disciples who can serve, and that foreign missionaries with compassion will continue to come despite the challenges. Pray for unity among the churches so that they may patiently and humbly inherit the land.

3. Pray for indigenous tribes such as the Guajiro, Makiritare, Yanomami, Panare, and Motilone, that they may hear the gospel. Ask for compassion to fill the workers from the Assemblies of God (AoG) and the Evangelical Free Church (ADIEL) who serve these tribes. In the urban slums, many people live in extreme poverty, with no access to jobs or food, and are controlled by gangs and drug cartels. Pray for the churches to rise up and share the message of peace, so they may be known as children of God. Also, let’s lift up the 5 million Venezuelans who have fled to other countries, asking God to help churches and missionaries find them, care for them, and build churches where they can worship.

》 Urgent prayer requests around the world need your prayer!