On September 12, 2025, Maracio González, a law professor at Fermín Toro University and the former mayor of Barquisimeto, disappeared after leaving the university.

González was last seen at a meeting at the university. Prior to his disappearance, he had publicly criticized the Venezuelan government. His family, human rights groups, and the political opposition has accused the government of abducting González. His disappearance fits a pattern of disappearances targeting other lecturers, human rights defenders, and activists in Venezuela. González’s family has filed a formal complaint with the state’s human rights ombudsman, the Defensoría del Pueblo, and attempted to file a complaint with the Criminal Control Court of Lara State, but was prevented from doing so. At the beginning of November 2025, González remained missing.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the forced disappearance of a scholar. While state security forces have a responsibility to maintain security and safety, they must also respect international human rights standards, including right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly – conduct which is expressly protected under international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, the disappearance of scholars undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*This incident was identified by Aula Abierta, a member of the Coalition for Academic Freedom in the America’s Monitoring Working Group.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOjP15gidvg/
https://www.elimpulso.com/2025/09/13/inseguridad-preocupacion-y-zozobra-rodea-desaparicion-de-macario-gonzalez-13sep/
https://www.elimpulso.com/2025/09/16/video-tras-cuatro-dias-de-su-desaparicion-familia-de-macario-gonzalez-exige-fe-de-vida-16sep/
https://correodelcaroni.com/pais-politico/hija-del-exalcalde-macario-gonzalez-denuncia-su-desaparicion-y-exige-fe-de-vida/