Via Venezuela
The U.S. and Venezuela are in a salsa diplomacy dance.
Monday, President Trump announced that the U.S. would impose 25% tariffs on countries that buy oil and gas from Venezuela (their largest buyer is China), claiming the “hostile” country has been “intentionally flooding the U.S.” with gang members. The “secondary tariff” adds to other reciprocal tariffs going into effect April 2.
The announcement comes amid continuing legal battles around the admin’s recent deportations of Venezuelans.
A U.S. district judge declined to lift a restraining order preventing the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans. Meanwhile, a flight carrying 199 deported Venezuelan migrants (alleged members of the gang Tren de Aragua) touched down near Caracas after the Venezuelan government agreed to resume accepting deportees.
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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
As Christians, we can commit to praying for national and world leaders to be wise, while simultaneously placing our hope in God, not government.
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)