Venezuela crisis: 5 things you need to know about Maduro, Guaidó and mass exodus

By Brandon Showalter, Opinion writer and social commentator Saturday, March 16, 2019

4. Hugo Chávez, Maduro's late predecessor, holds God-like status

In order to understand the turmoil it's vital to understand what's going on spiritually. The late Hugo Chávez has near God-like status, something Maduro has immortalized in the minds of significant swathes of the population, say two missionaries with the International Mission Board who have lived and worked in the nation for almost 30 years.

“Maduro created a cult that glorifies the ‘eternal commander,’ making Chávez's burial place a center of worship and prayer,” the IMB noted in August 2018. "Maduro also said that 'he communes with Chávez,' and performs ritual sacrifices at the presidential palace in honor of Chávez."

Some churches have reportedly taken out “our Father” from the Lord’s Prayer in exchange for “Our Chávez, who art in Heaven.”

As is commonplace throughout the region, in Venezuela, government officials are reportedly taking part in occultic rituals, spiritism, and other forms of witchcraft.

"Psalm 126 is a reality for us,” a Venezuelan church planter told IMB.

“Venezuela is under captivity by an evil empire.”