Venezuela’s government exploits canonisation event for political messaging
The recent canonisation of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles in Venezuela was intended as a moment of religious significance, but instead it emerged as a stage for political spectacle.
In Caracas, the ceremony was infused with government rhetoric and propaganda, according to local observers.
Across major gathering points such as La Candelaria and La Pastora, large screens broadcast the event via state-controlled channel VTV. Rather than offering the neutral liturgical feed expected at such occasions, the coverage interspersed speeches from President Nicolás Maduro and archival footage of Pope Francis.
The presence of high-profile political figures, visible security deployments and what appeared to be paramilitary “colectivo” elements marked a shift in tone. Rather than strictly religious observance, it appeared to be used as a vehicle to reinforce the government’s narrative and to signal control during a moment of national ritual.
While the Vatican described the act as a “moment of unity”, critics warn that the Venezuelan administration has repurposed what should be a spiritual event into a demonstration of political legitimacy. The selection of broadcast channels and the placement of monuments, alongside the timing of the event provisions (including a national holiday), underscore the political dimension.
For global observers, the episode raises questions about church-state relations, media control, and how symbolic events can be weaponised by governments. In an era of international scrutiny on human rights and democratic norms, the use of canonisation as a tool of state messaging carries implications well beyond Venezuelan borders.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
