Venezuelan Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino said that his "views about the political and social situation facing Venezuela are based upon the values of democracy, human rights and pluralism enshrined in the Constitution."

Urosa, who attended a meeting with the National Assembly's Coordination Committee, which invited him to explain the fundamentals of his statements about the government led by Hugo Chávez, read a paper before the members of the Committee. He clarified that he has expressed his views, but that he has "neither the spirit nor the intention" to make accusations or denunciations.

Urosa said that he has merely expressed his opinion because he has the right to do so as any Venezuelan. He added that, "under the Constitution, bishops have an obligation to bolster and advocate human rights," private TV news channel Globovisión reported.

Urosa stressed that his preaching is religious "and is based on individual and social morality." He added that his statements are far from having a partisan nature.