Throughout the past couple of weeks, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia has been following the hardships that the Armenian community in Venezuela has faced, reported the press service in Antelias.

One of the representatives of the Armenian community of Venezuela has told the Supreme Patriarch that Venezuela has been facing serious hardships over the past year and that the country is politically and economically consumed.

His Holiness Aram I was also told that the country’s leadership is trying to continue its so-called “constructive stance”, but is doing it by exerting violence within the country, while the opposition is organizing peaceful meetings to overcome the situation that has been created. It is stated that the people are demanding the government’s resignation, snap presidential elections and the release of political prisoners every day, but all this is in vain since the government, the President and his supporters have completely robbed and emptied the country and are continuing with this stance.

“In the context of all this, the Armenian community of Venezuela is also facing hardships. The community is dwindled. As if the number of Armenians in Venezuela wasn’t small enough, the dangerous and panicking situation in the country has considerably reduced the number. Many families having received visas to the United States or Europe have already emigrated and continue to emigrate. Many benefactors have shut down their businesses, sold their properties and already left the country. However, the Sunday Holy Masses of the Armenian church continue amid this dread and fear,” the response of the Armenian community of Venezuela to the Supreme Patriarch reads.