Home Latin America Venezuela Turns to the Divina Pastora Amid Political Upheaval

Venezuela Turns to the Divina Pastora Amid Political Upheaval

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Divina Pastora Barquisimeto, Venezuela (Photo by Homero Thompson on Unsplash)

Millions join the Divina Pastora procession in Barquisimeto as Venezuelans pray for peace and stability after Maduro’s capture and Trump’s intervention.

Newsroom (15/01/2026 Gaudium PressBeneath a sweltering January sun, torrents of white-clad worshippers filled the streets of Barquisimeto, their chants and hymns weaving through the air like a collective plea. On Wednesday, thousands of Venezuelans joined one of the world’s largest Marian processions to honor the Divina Pastora — the Divine Shepherdess — seeking solace and guidance in a time of political turmoil that has shaken their nation to its core.

Held every January 14, the procession is a centuries-old Catholic tradition that draws roughly two million devotees from across the country. Pilgrims make the four-mile journey from the Santa Rosa sanctuary to the cathedral in the heart of Barquisimeto, stopping at 12 stations to pray and reflect. The ritual, locals say, is more than a demonstration of faith — it’s an affirmation of identity, endurance, and hope.

This year’s procession carried a heavier, more urgent tone. Following the dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, the Venezuelan people find themselves once again suspended in political uncertainty. A U.S. military operation removed Maduro from power and transported him to the United States, prompting former President Donald Trump to declare that he would temporarily oversee Venezuela’s transition. Trump also endorsed Delcy Rodríguez as acting president while signaling plans to use Venezuela’s vast oil reserves to stabilize global markets.

As the faithful advanced toward the city’s cathedral, the combined weight of devotion and disbelief seemed to hang thick in the air. Housewife Miriam Espinoza, clutching a rosary, expressed the sentiment shared by many around her. “We pray for our country, because our country truly needs God,” she said. “May we have peace and may our country return to normalcy.”

For Barquisimeto residents, the Divina Pastora is not merely a symbol of religious devotion but a spiritual thread binding families through generations. “For us in Barquisimeto, it means everything,” said Johenny Hernández, a civil engineer who attended the procession with several of her relatives. “The Virgin walks with us as we make our way toward Jesus Christ.”

Hernández said that both she and her brother face health challenges that made the journey difficult this year, yet staying home was never an option. “We came to ask for strength,” she said softly. “Our faith gives us the courage to keep going.”

Nearby, Clara Castillo clasped a small photo of her son, who has lived with hemophilia since infancy. “My faith has been there ever since, and for the rest of my days I will ask God to give me the health I need,” she said, pausing as the procession moved past. “And today I pray for my beloved Venezuela.”

As twilight settled over Barquisimeto, the final stretch of pilgrims reached the cathedral steps. Candles flickered in trembling hands. The prayers rose into the darkening sky — calls for peace, stability, and renewal in a country at a crossroads.

For many, the Divina Pastora’s procession was more than tradition; it was an act of resilience, a moment to channel fear into faith, and a reminder that in Venezuela’s darkest hours, devotion still lights the way forward.

  • Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now

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