Venezuelan pastor arrested for organising a March for Jesus

José Albeiro Vivas is a pastor of a Christian church but he is also an active Major of Venezuelan Military Aviation.

As the coordinator of the March for Jesus, an event that has been held for 13 years every October 12 in the main cities of the country, he was in charge of reading the words of invitation of that activity.

ARRESTED FOR ASKING FOR FREEDOM

Right at the begining of the march “Venezuela your time of freedom has arrived”, in the municipality of Barinas, he declared the spiritual freedom of Venezuela, which was enough for the officials of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGIM) to arrest him, as the military prosecutor, Lieutenant Luisana Osorio, ordered.

The officer faces an investigation for the crimes of misuse of decoration, badges, military titles and disobedience. He was transferred to the headquarters of the DGIM.

Before his arrest, through a video, Albeiro Vivas said:

“By the word of God: that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. That is the greatest desire of my Lord Jesus Christ, and this October 12 may all go together to worship God, public worship for the King of kings and Lord of lords.

March for Jesus, Barinas 2019, Federation Park, 11 in the morning. I invite all Christians. I knowt God is doing great things in Barinas and Venezuela, and this year's motto is: Venezuela, your time of freedom has arrived. He who chooses freedoms will be truly free. God bless you. Thank you".

That video statement was enough for the authorities to believe that he was referring to being free from Nicolás Maduro and the government on duty.

A MILITARY OFFICER AND A PASTOR

The Major is a Christian, he preaches and attends events in his church. As pastor, he was present at the Second Meeting of Intercessors representing the Barinas state.

At the end of that meeting, he climbed with a group of intercessors to the impressive El Águila (the Eagle) peak in the state of Mérida, and cried out for Venezuela.

He also appeared at the Twentieth National Meeting of Copleros (poets) in Barinas, where he made a prayer in favor of Venezuela, and he also prayed with the Rev. Jorge Raskkie.

VENEZUELAN CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

The Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in its article 59 contemplates freedom of worship:

“The State will guarantee freedom of religion and worship. Everyone has the right to profess their religious faith and to express their beliefs in private or in public, through teaching or other practices, while they do not oppose morality, good customs and public order. It also guarantees the independence and autonomy of churches and religious denominations, with no limitations other than those derived from this Constitution and the law”.