In a post on their X account from New York City—where they have remained held against their will for nearly six months—the presidential couple extended their appreciation to “all the brigade members, HONEST officials, doctors, rescue workers, firefighters, Civil Protection personnel, and police officers.”

They also acknowledged the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, volunteers, organized communities, and international teams that made it possible to “save thousands of lives and continue their work minute by minute, standing with the people in their grief.”

The leaders noted that, one week after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that devastated parts of seven regions of the country, “Cilia and I remain in constant prayer for the deceased, the injured, the missing, their families, and all our people.”

Maduro and Cilia stated that it is time to heighten solidarity and effective action—always in community unity and national unity, and “rising above any differences. Above all: solidarity-based, effective, and united action.” In their message, the leaders—who are awaiting a new hearing on July 22—cited Galatians 6:2, which calls for mutual support during times of hardship.

“That is what Venezuela needs today: for everyone to share the burden of another’s pain, for every hand to help, for every prayer to offer comfort, and for every action to serve the cause of recovery,” they urged.

They emphasized that through “national unity, international solidarity, and God’s blessings, Venezuela will rise again.”

jdt/oda/jcd