Missionaries Evacuated from Venezuela

Due to ongoing labor strikes and conflicts, eight Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod's missionaries and their families left Venezuela on the week of Dec. 23 and have completely withdrawn on Dec. 30.

On Dec. 10, volunteer missionaries were recalled from Venezuela. And on Dec. 21, the career-missionaries were also notified to evacuate based on the recommendations from the U.S. embassy officials.

"No missionary was in any physical danger at any time," area director of Venezuela and Caribbean of LCMS World Mission Rev. James Tino said. "However, the ongoing national labor strike has caused severe shortages of goods and services. The U.S. embassy evacuated their non-emergency personnel, and recommended that U.S. citizens in Venezuela leave the country."

By Tony C.
tony@chtoday.com