Mérida Doctor Abducted Following Support for Church & Opposition figures
Venezuelan urologist Dr. pedro Fernández, a member of Doctors United for Venezuela, was forcibly abducted from his workplace in Mérida state on Monday afternoon. Witnesses report that several hooded individuals entered the Marcial Ríos Clinical Center and took dr. Fernández.
The abduction comes shortly after Dr. Fernández publicly expressed support for both Cardinal Baltazar Porras and opposition leader María Corina Machado on social media. Last week, he posted a birthday message to Cardinal Porras, celebrating his role in the recent canonization of Venezuelan saints José Gregorio Hernández and Sister Rendiles, stating, “We celebrate the miracle of the canonization of our saints, thanks to all your work and dedication.”
Dr.Fernández also shared a post anticipating a Nobel Peace Prize for Machado, writing, “Our leader, our strength and guide for freedom has been recognized with the highest award for world peace. maría Corina, Nobel Peace Prize 2025!” He previously thanked Cardinal Porras for his dedication to the sainthood processes, praising his “tenacity and firm attachment to our values.”
The timing of the abduction coincides with increased repression by the Venezuelan regime. As Venezuelans marked the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández with calls for the release of political prisoners, authorities have reportedly escalated arbitrary arrests. A councilor in Trujillo was detained during a religious ceremony in Isnotú, Hernández’s birthplace, and in Barquisimeto, a journalist was arrested alongside his mother and brother.
The abduction of Dr. Fernández raises concerns about the targeting of individuals perceived to support the Catholic Church and political opposition in Venezuela.
