Days after United States military forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Penn contacted students from Venezuela to acknowledge the unfolding “crisis” and offer academic and wellness resources.
On Jan. 6, the College of Arts and Sciences’ CaseNet team, which supports students facing academic difficulty, emailed Venezuelan students regarding University-wide support services. The messages, obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian, listed the contact information for multiple on-campus offices and asked students to confirm their safety.
“Our thoughts go out to you, your family, and all who have been affected by this crisis,” the CaseNet team’s Jan. 6 message read. The email also included the phone numbers for Penn’s Student Health and Counseling, the University Chaplain’s Office, Student Financial Services, and other support services on campus.
In a statement to the DP, a CaseNet spokesperson described the team as a student-focused “academic support system” comprised of “advisors who help students navigate their courses while dealing with difficult situations, including global events such as natural disasters, international conflict, and others.”
Penn’s International Student and Scholar Services also sent Jan. 6 emails expressing support for Venezuelan students.
“We recognize that this may be a stressful time, particularly for those who are far from family and loved ones,” ISSS wrote in an email obtained by the DP. “Our team, in collaboration with colleagues across the University, is available to help you manage your academic responsibilities and navigate the broader impact of these events.”
According to ISSS Executive Director Rodolfo Altamirano, the emails were sent to “students for whom the information was most likely to be relevant, rather than as a broad campus-wide communication.”
“ISSS regularly monitors global and national developments that may have implications for international students and scholars,” Altamirano wrote in a statement to the DP. “When situations arise that could create uncertainty or concern, we weigh whether proactive communication may be helpful to ensure students are aware of available resources and pathways for support.”
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Altamirano clarified that while ISSS collaborates with partners across the University, it issues specific communications within its “scope and responsibility to provide immigration-related guidance.”
ISSS previously advised students against traveling to several countries subject to expanded federal travel restrictions, including Venezuela.
“In these situations, ISSS both shares relevant University resources and provides direct advising and support,” Altamirano added.
The University’s messages followed 1968 Wharton graduate and President Donald Trump’s Jan. 3 announcement that U.S. forces conducted a large-scale operation in Venezuela resulting in the capture of Maduro and his wife, who were transported to New York to face federal charges.
In a Jan. 3 social media post, Pennsylvania State Sen. Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) described the “attack” and “abduction” by the United States as “criminal acts of terror,” and called for Trump’s impeachment.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-Philadelphia) also described the operation as an “obvious violation of international law.”
In a statement to the DP, Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier — whose district includes Penn and University City — similarly criticized the action taken by the Trump administration.
“Eight days into 2026, we’re already seeing increased corruption and instability,” Gauthier wrote. “Trump’s conduct is un-American, antidemocratic, and endangers American lives.”
