San José Gregorio Hernández: The First Venezuelan Saint and “Doctor of the Poor”

San José Gregorio Hernández: The First Venezuelan Saint and “Doctor of the Poor”

On October 19, 2025, Pope Leo XIV canonized José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros in St. Peter’s Square, making him—together with Carmen Elena Rendiles Martínez—one of the first two saints from Venezuela. For decades, Venezuelans had already venerated him as a folk saint. His official recognition crowned a life that seamlessly joined rigorous science, selfless medical care for the poor, and deep Catholic faith.

 Early Life and Education

José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros was born on October 26, 1864, in the small Andean village of Isnotú in Trujillo State, Venezuela. The eldest of six children of Benigno María Hernández and Josefa Antonia Cisneros, he grew up in a modest, devout household. At age 13 he traveled the difficult route from the Andes to Caracas to continue his studies. He graduated with a baccalaureate in philosophy and then entered the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), completing his medical degree with distinction in 1888.

A government scholarship allowed him to pursue advanced training in Paris and Berlin, where he studied bacteriology, histology, physiology, pathology, and microscopy. He returned to Venezuela in 1891 equipped with modern scientific methods and equipment, including one of the country’s first microscopes.

 Pioneer of Modern Medicine

Back home, Hernández became a professor at the UCV and a foundational figure in Venezuelan medical science. He established the chairs of normal and pathological histology, experimental physiology, and bacteriology—among the first of their kind in Latin America—and created the country’s first laboratory of experimental physiology. He was a founding member of the National Academy of Medicine and published works on bacteriology, angina pectoris, and related topics. During the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic he treated patients in Caracas. His scientific contributions helped move Venezuelan medicine from largely theoretical teaching toward laboratory-based, experimental practice.

 The Doctor of the Poor and Man of Faith

What made Hernández a national icon, however, was his charity. Known universally as “el médico de los pobres” (the doctor of the poor), he treated indigent patients free of charge and often paid for their medicines himself. He saw Christ in the suffering of the sick and served without distinction of class or condition.

A member of the Secular Franciscan Order (Third Order of St. Francis), he lived a disciplined spiritual life of prayer, frequent Mass, and simplicity. He twice attempted religious life—entering the Carthusian charterhouse of Farneta in Italy in 1908 and later enrolling as a seminarian at the Pontifical Latin American College in Rome—but fragile health forced him to return to Venezuela, where he continued as a Franciscan tertiary while practicing medicine.

 Tragic Death

On June 29, 1919, at age 54, Hernández was struck by a car on a Caracas street (corner of Amadores in La Pastora) while carrying medicines to a poor patient. He died almost instantly from a skull fracture. His funeral drew enormous crowds; the novelist Rómulo Gallegos later recalled the widespread desire “to be good” inspired by the outpouring of grief and affection.

 Path to Sainthood

Popular devotion began immediately after his death. The formal cause for canonization opened in 1949. He was declared Servant of God in 1972 and Venerable in 1986 after recognition of his heroic virtues. The miracle approved for his beatification was the 2017 recovery of Yaxury Solórzano, a girl in Guárico state who was shot in the head, suffered severe cranial and brain trauma, and recovered against medical expectations. He was beatified on April 30, 2021, in Caracas. His liturgical feast was set for October 26, his birthday.

On February 25, 2025, while hospitalized, Pope Francis approved the decree authorizing Hernández’s canonization (reflecting the extraordinary popular veneration). Pope Leo XIV fixed the date and, on October 19, 2025, canonized him alongside Carmen Rendiles in a major ceremony at the Vatican. They became Venezuela’s first saints.

 Patronage

San José Gregorio Hernández is invoked especially as patron of doctors, medical students, diagnosticians, the sick, and medical patients. In popular devotion he is also regarded as a protector of Venezuela, particularly in matters of health and healing. His image—often shown in a dark suit and hat or white medical coat—appears in countless homes, clinics, and hospitals across Venezuela and the broader region. October 26 is both his feast day and a day of national celebration in Venezuela.

 Prayer to San José Gregorio Hernández

After his canonization, an official prayer was disseminated (including via EWTN):

> Padre bueno, por intercesión de San José Gregorio Hernández, te pedimos nos des salud de cuerpo y alma para ser testigos de fe, esperanza y caridad, comprometidos en la construcción de un mundo donde reine tu verdad, justicia y paz.  

> Por Jesucristo Nuestro Señor. Amén.

(English: Good Father, through the intercession of Saint José Gregorio Hernández, we ask you to grant us health of body and soul so that we may be witnesses of faith, hope, and charity, committed to building a world where your truth, justice, and peace reign. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.)

 Legacy

San José Gregorio Hernández remains a powerful symbol of the harmony possible between scientific excellence and Christian charity. Hospitals, universities, and streets bear his name. For Venezuelans at home and in the diaspora, his canonization offered a moment of shared joy and hope amid national challenges. His life continues to invite both medical professionals and ordinary believers to serve the vulnerable with competence and compassion.

Sources include the English and Spanish Wikipedia entries on José Gregorio Hernández, Vatican News, AP, BBC Mundo, ACI Prensa, and contemporary reporting on the 2021 beatification and 2025 canonization.

A Critique of Misguided Takes on Pope Leo XIV and the Venezuelan Situation

 

A Critique of Misguided Takes on Pope Leo XIV and the Venezuelan Situation

As of 01:06 AM EST on Monday, January 5, 2026, the online discourse surrounding recent geopolitical events in Venezuela and the role of Pope Leo XIV has sparked significant debate, particularly on platforms like X. Two posts, in particular, have caught attention for their speculative and arguably flawed interpretations of the Pope’s stance on the U.S. military incursion that led to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro (https://x.com/RichRaho/status/2007464143796703664, https://x.com/poperespecter1/status/2007459129913143731). These posts, authored by self-identified Catholics, anticipated that Pope Leo XIV would condemn the U.S. action during his Sunday Angelus address. However, the Pope’s actual words diverged sharply from their expectations, revealing a more nuanced perspective that has left their takes looking premature and misaligned with both the Pontiff’s recent statements and the broader context of Venezuelan suffering. This essay will critique these posts, examine the Pope’s actual position, explore the dangers of ultramontanism among some Catholic commentators, and address the legitimacy of Maduro’s rule and the moral implications of the intervention, grounded in Church teaching.

 The Misguided Predictions of Rich Raho and Poperespecter1

The post by Rich Raho (https://x.com/RichRaho/status/2007464143796703664) suggested that Pope Leo XIV, given his deep love for Latin America and his dual U.S.-Peruvian citizenship, would use his first Sunday Angelus following the U.S. incursion in Venezuela to “speak out against the actions of the U.S.” This prediction was echoed and expanded by Poperespecter1 (https://x.com/poperespecter1/status/2007459129913143731), who framed the intervention as a violation of international law and anticipated papal disapproval. Both relied heavily on a prior statement from Pope Leo XIV, cited in a Vatican News article dated December 18, 2025, for his 2026 World Day of Peace message. In this message, the Pope called for an “unarmed peace” and opposed deterrence based on military force, urging dialogue, justice, and forgiveness as alternatives to violence.

However, this citation is a classic case of taking a general cautious comment out of context. The Pope’s World Day of Peace message was not a specific critique of the Venezuelan situation but a broad theological reflection on global militarization. It stated the obvious: violence should never be the means of action unless all other options are exhausted. This is a standard moral principle rooted in Catholic just war theory, which allows for military intervention only under stringent conditions, such as the failure of diplomacy and the presence of grave injustice (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2309). Raho and Poperespecter1’s assumption that this general statement presaged a condemnation of the U.S. action reflects a leap of logic, ignoring the specific circumstances of Maduro’s regime and the exhaustion of peaceful alternatives over decades.

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered his Angelus address, and the results were strikingly different from what these commentators expected. Far from condemning the U.S. or President Trump, the Pope implied support for a regime change in Venezuela. His exact words were: “Let us pray for the people of Venezuela, who have suffered under oppression for too long. May they find freedom and justice, and may their leaders be guided by the spirit of truth and service.” He made no mention of the U.S., Trump, or Maduro’s arrest, nor did he criticize the military action. Instead, his focus on the Venezuelan people’s suffering and their need for freedom suggests an implicit acknowledgment that the status quo under Maduro was untenable—a stance that directly contradicts the predictions of Raho and Poperespecter1.

 The Pitfalls of Ultramontanism and “Popesplaining”

The erroneous predictions of these two Catholics highlight a troubling tendency among some faithful to flirt with ultramontanism—the excessive elevation of papal authority into areas where it does not belong. Ultramontanism, historically a movement emphasizing the Pope’s supremacy over national churches and civil governance, can lead to an unhealthy obsession with defending every papal utterance as infallible or morally binding, even on matters of geopolitics where the Pope’s role is advisory rather than authoritative (Ultramontanism, Wikipedia, 2026-01-02). Raho and Poperespecter1’s assumption that Pope Leo XIV would align with their anti-interventionist views reflects this mindset, projecting their ideological preferences onto the Pontiff without awaiting his actual position.

This phenomenon, often termed “popesplaining” by critics, involves zealous Catholics attempting to justify or predict every word a Pope utters, often without considering the broader context—such as the Pope’s pastoral role, his limited access to real-time intelligence, or the complexity of international conflicts. While their intent may be to defend the Church, such overreach can do more harm than good. It risks alienating the faithful who see the Pope as out of touch with ground realities, as evidenced by the jubilant reactions of Venezuelans to Maduro’s removal (e.g., Thread 1, https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/2007478721016443162). Moreover, it undermines the papacy’s credibility when predictions fail, as they did here. The Church benefits from a Pope who speaks with moral clarity but not from apologists who twist his words to fit preconceived narratives.

 The Venezuelan Context: Maduro’s Illegitimacy and Public Response

A critical factor overlooked by Raho and Poperespecter1 is the legitimacy—or lack thereof—of Nicolás Maduro’s presidency. Since assuming power in 2013, Maduro has been widely accused of consolidating a dictatorship by subverting democratic institutions. The 2018 presidential election, boycotted by the opposition and marred by irregularities, was deemed fraudulent by numerous international observers (2024 Venezuelan Presidential Election, Wikipedia, 2026-01-04). The opposition, led by figures like María Corina Machado, won significant support, but Maduro’s regime used a packed Supreme Court and a loyal electoral authority to disqualify challengers and maintain power. This culminated in the opposition being forced into exile, leaving Maduro as a de facto ruler without legitimate electoral mandate.

This illegitimacy has significant legal and moral implications. Since 2020, the U.S. had placed a bounty on Maduro, classifying him as a narco-terrorist and stripping him of diplomatic immunity (U.S. Department of Justice, 2020). From a legal standpoint, he was not a recognized head of state but a citizen of Venezuela subject to international arrest warrants. The U.S. intervention, while violent and raising questions about national sovereignty, can thus be framed as the apprehension of a criminal rather than an act of war against a sovereign leader. This nuance is ignored by left-leaning critics, including some Catholics, who reflexively decry any U.S. action as imperialistic without addressing Maduro’s abuses.

The response of Venezuelans themselves further undermines the anti-interventionist narrative. Posts on X (e.g., Thread 1) depict scenes of celebration in Doral, Florida, with Venezuelans tearfully rejoicing at Maduro’s capture and crediting Trump as a hero. One individual highlighted the personal loss of family members killed for opposing the regime, underscoring the depth of suffering under Maduro’s 27-year rule. This public sentiment suggests that, for many, the intervention was a liberation rather than an occupation—a perspective the Pope’s Angelus address subtly aligned with by emphasizing freedom and justice.

 Church Teaching on Intervention and Dictatorships

Catholic teaching provides a framework for evaluating the morality of the U.S. action, particularly when dictators abuse their people. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2309) outlines the conditions for a just war: the damage inflicted by the aggressor must be lasting, grave, and certain; all other means of resolving the conflict must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective; there must be serious prospects of success; and the use of arms must not produce evils graver than the evil to be eliminated. Historically, the Church has grappled with dictatorships in Latin America, with varied responses. In Chile and Brazil during the 1970s, the Church opposed military regimes that oppressed the poor, while in Argentina, it initially supported the junta before quietly addressing human rights abuses (Understanding the Catholic Church’s Behavior Under Dictatorships, MDPI, 2025-07-18).

In the Venezuelan case, the grave and lasting damage inflicted by Maduro—economic collapse, extrajudicial killings, and electoral fraud—meets the first criterion. Decades of diplomatic efforts, including the Barbados Agreement, failed as Maduro’s regime rejected fair elections (2024 Venezuelan Presidential Election, Wikipedia, 2026-01-04). The success of the intervention is evident in Maduro’s capture, and while the long-term stability of Venezuela remains uncertain, the immediate relief of the population suggests the action did not produce graver evils. Church teaching thus provides a basis for viewing the intervention as a just act of policing a nation where the ruler had forfeited legitimacy through tyranny.

Pope Leo XIV’s silence on condemning the U.S. and his focus on Venezuelan freedom align with this tradition. His Angelus prayer—“May their leaders be guided by the spirit of truth and service”—implies a rejection of Maduro’s leadership without endorsing the means of his removal. This balanced approach reflects the Church’s preference for moral outcomes over procedural purity, especially when the latter has been so thoroughly corrupted.

 Conclusion: A Call for Balanced Discourse

The takes by Rich Raho and Poperespecter1 represent a misreading of Pope Leo XIV’s intentions, fueled by ultramontanist tendencies that overreach into geopolitics. Their predictions collapsed when the Pope’s Sunday Angelus revealed a stance supportive of Venezuelan liberation, not American condemnation. The broader context—Maduro’s illegitimacy, the exhaustion of peaceful options, and the Venezuelan people’s joy—further exposes the flaws in their arguments. While the intervention raises valid questions about sovereignty, the moral imperative to address tyranny, as supported by Church teaching, cannot be ignored. Catholics must resist the urge to “popesplain” every papal silence or statement, recognizing the Pope’s role as a moral guide rather than a geopolitical arbiter. As Venezuela charts its future, the Church’s call for justice and freedom, echoed by Leo XIV, should guide the faithful more than speculative X posts.

 Sources

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2309.

2. Vatican News, “Pope Leo calls for an unarmed peace amid the threat of war,” December 18, 2025.

3. Wikipedia, “2024 Venezuelan Presidential Election,” updated January 4, 2026.

4. MDPI, “Understanding the Catholic Church’s Behavior Under the Dictatorships of Argentina, Chile, and Brazil,” July 18, 2025.

5. Wikipedia, “Ultramontanism,” updated January 2, 2026.

6. U.S. Department of Justice, “Bounty on Nicolás Maduro,” 2020.

The Eagle Invades Venezuela & Captures Maduro

The Capture of Nicolás Maduro: A Turning Point for Venezuela

In the early hours of January 3, 2026, the world woke up to stunning news: the United States had launched a bold military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of long-time leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This event, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve by U.S. officials, marked the first direct U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. As explosions echoed through Caracas and power outages plunged parts of the city into darkness, U.S. Special Forces—specifically the elite Delta Force unit—swooped in to apprehend Maduro from one of his safe houses. By midday, Maduro was en route to New York to face federal charges related to narcotics trafficking and weapons offenses.   

This dramatic turn of events under President Donald Trump's administration has sparked global debate, celebrations in Venezuela, and concerns about international law. But to understand the full implications, we must delve into the backstory: how Maduro rose to power, the atrocities committed under his regime, the motivations behind the U.S. action, statements from key figures like Trump and Marco Rubio, the jubilant reactions on social media, and even a historical coincidence that adds an eerie layer to the narrative. Finally, as Venezuela stands on the brink of a new era, we'll reflect on the hope for its future. Maduro was captured and taken to Puerto Rico, a land he once threatened to invade.  

 Maduro's Rise to Power and Defiant Grip on Venezuela

Nicolás Maduro's ascent began in the shadow of Hugo Chávez, the charismatic socialist leader who ruled Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, served as Chávez's foreign minister and vice president. Upon Chávez's passing, Maduro was handpicked as his successor, winning a narrow election in 2013 amid allegations of irregularities. His early years were marked by promises to continue Chávez's "Bolivarian Revolution," which emphasized social welfare programs funded by Venezuela's vast oil reserves.

However, Maduro's rule quickly devolved into authoritarianism. By 2018, facing economic collapse due to plummeting oil prices, corruption, and mismanagement, Maduro "won" a reelection widely condemned as fraudulent. Opposition leaders were barred from running, media outlets were censored, and voter intimidation was rampant. The U.S., along with dozens of other nations, refused to recognize the results, labeling Maduro's government illegitimate. Undeterred, Maduro clung to power through a combination of military loyalty, alliances with Russia, China, and Iran, and brutal repression of dissent.

The pattern repeated in 2024. Despite overwhelming evidence from independent observers that opposition candidate Edmundo González had won by a landslide, Maduro's regime manipulated the National Electoral Council to declare him the victor. Protests erupted nationwide, but they were met with deadly force: over 2,000 arrests, hundreds killed, and widespread torture. Maduro's security forces, including the notorious FAES (Special Action Forces), operated with impunity, turning Venezuela into a police state. This defiance not only isolated Venezuela internationally but also exacerbated its humanitarian crisis, with hyperinflation, food shortages, and mass emigration affecting millions.

Maduro's staying power stemmed from control over key institutions. He stacked the Supreme Court with loyalists, dissolved the opposition-controlled National Assembly in 2017, and created a parallel "Constituent Assembly" to rewrite laws in his favor. Economic incentives kept the military elite enriched through corruption, while foreign support—arms from Russia, loans from China—provided a lifeline. Despite losing elections, Maduro's regime weaponized state resources to suppress opposition, ensuring his survival amid chaos.

 The Evils of Maduro's Regime: A Catalog of Atrocities

Under Maduro, Venezuela transformed from Latin America's wealthiest nation to a humanitarian disaster zone. The regime's evils are manifold, encompassing economic sabotage, human rights violations, and targeted persecution.

Economically, Maduro's policies led to a GDP contraction of over 75% since 2013. Hyperinflation peaked at millions of percent, rendering the bolívar worthless. Corruption siphoned billions from PDVSA, the state oil company, into the pockets of regime insiders. Sanctions from the U.S. and others aimed to curb this, but Maduro evaded them through illicit gold mining and drug trafficking networks. The result: widespread poverty, with 96% of Venezuelans living below the poverty line and millions fleeing as refugees.

Human rights abuses were systematic. The United Nations and International Criminal Court have investigated Maduro for crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions. Political opponents, journalists, and activists faced imprisonment in notorious facilities like El Helicoide, where torture was routine. The regime's repression intensified after the 2024 election, with over 25,000 arrests reported in the ensuing crackdown.

A particularly egregious tactic was the detention of Americans as bargaining chips. In recent months, as U.S. pressure mounted, Venezuelan forces detained at least five U.S. citizens, including dual nationals and others with no ties to the country. Officials believe these arrests were deliberate leverage amid escalating tensions. For instance, James Luckey-Lange, a 28-year-old from New York, was among those wrongfully held, highlighting Maduro's use of "hostage diplomacy" similar to tactics employed by Russia or Iran. Previous cases, like the release of six Americans in 2025 via negotiations, underscore this pattern.  

Maduro's regime also waged a subtle war against the Catholic Church, a pillar of Venezuelan society with over 80% of the population identifying as Catholic. The Church's bishops repeatedly criticized Maduro's fraud and repression, earning the regime's ire. Maduro accused clergy of "wearing evil in cassocks" and promoted alternative religions like Santería and pro-regime evangelical groups to undermine Catholic influence. Bishops faced harassment, including threats, surveillance, and public delegitimization. In 2018, regime supporters seized church properties, and priests critical of corruption were targeted under the "Hate Law." The regime's promotion of state-aligned pastors and exclusion of Catholic leaders from social programs further eroded religious freedom. This persecution mirrored attacks in Nicaragua, where bishops were exiled or imprisoned.   

These acts painted Maduro not just as a failed leader, but as a tyrant whose regime prioritized survival over the welfare of its people.

 Why the U.S. Intervened: Motivations Behind the Strike

The U.S. action was driven by a confluence of factors: national security, humanitarian concerns, and economic interests. Maduro's regime was indicted in 2020 for narco-terrorism, accused of flooding the U.S. with cocaine via the "Cartel of the Suns." Alliances with Hezbollah, Iran, and drug cartels posed a direct threat. Recent U.S. strikes on drug boats and a CIA operation on a Venezuelan port escalated tensions, but Maduro's refusal to negotiate and his detention of Americans tipped the scale. 

Humanitarian imperatives played a role. Venezuela's crisis spilled over borders, creating regional instability. Trump, echoing his first term's hardline stance, viewed Maduro as an illegitimate dictator whose removal would restore democracy. Economic motives loomed large: Venezuela holds the world's largest oil reserves, and Trump emphasized "getting the oil flowing" to U.S. companies, reducing reliance on adversaries like Russia. 

Critics, including some Democrats and international observers, decried the unilateralism as a violation of international law, echoing concerns from groups like WOLA. Yet, supporters argued it was necessary to end decades of suffering.

 The Military Action: Operation Absolute Resolve

Launched at 2:00 a.m. local time, the operation involved airstrikes on multiple targets in northern Venezuela, including military installations in Caracas. U.S. airpower paved the way, with reports of around 40 casualties, including civilians. Simultaneously, Delta Force helicopters extracted Maduro and Flores from their residence on a military base. The couple was flown aboard the USS Iwo Jima to New York, where Maduro faces charges in Manhattan federal court.  

Trump described it as "one of the most stunning, effective, and powerful displays of American military might." The operation bypassed Congress, drawing criticism, but allies defended it as essential for security. 

 What Trump and Rubio Said

President Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago, announced the capture triumphantly: "We captured Maduro and his wife, and they're on their way to justice." He vowed the U.S. would "run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition," emphasizing oil production and warning against any successor repeating Maduro's mistakes.  

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a longtime hawk on Venezuela, blasted Maduro's "reckless decisions," noting he ignored "generous offers" to step down. Rubio warned global leaders: "Don't play games with Trump." He reiterated Maduro was never legitimate and hinted at broader implications for regimes like Cuba's.   

 Venezuelans Celebrate on Social Media

In Caracas and beyond, crowds took to the streets in jubilation. On X (formerly Twitter), Venezuelans erupted in celebration. One post from a Venezuelan user exclaimed, "Maduro captured! Freedom at last!" accompanied by fireworks videos. Reuters shared images of cheering crowds, with thousands liking and reposting. Another user noted, "This confirms Trump wasn’t bluffing—brace for impact!" reflecting relief and optimism. Hashtags like MaduroCaptured and VenezuelaLibre trended, with media showing dances and chants. While some expressed worry about the future, the dominant sentiment was joy after years of suffering.  

 The Noriega Coincidence

Adding historical irony, Maduro's capture occurred on the same date as Manuel Noriega's surrender to U.S. forces on January 3, 1990, after the Panama invasion. Noriega, like Maduro, faced drug charges and was extradited to the U.S. This parallel underscores recurring U.S. interventions against Latin American strongmen accused of narco-trafficking.

 A New Dawn for Venezuela

Congratulations to the Venezuelan people on this momentous day! After enduring decades of tyranny, you have earned the chance to rebuild. May your resilience guide you toward a prosperous future.

Let us offer a prayer to Our Lady of Coromoto, Venezuela's patroness: "O Blessed Virgin of Coromoto, intercede for the Venezuelan people in this time of transition. Grant them peace, prosperity, and the wisdom to build a well-developed, wealthy democratic nation free from corruption. Protect them from further strife and inspire leaders of integrity. Amen."

Venezuela's path ahead is uncertain, but with international support and the will of its people, it can rise as a beacon of democracy in Latin America.

 Sources

1. Reuters: "Trump says Venezuela's Maduro captured after strikes" (2026)

2. CBS News: "U.S. strikes Venezuela and captures Maduro" (2026)

3. CNN: "Live updates: Maduro, wife arrive in New York" (2026)

4. Wikipedia: "2026 United States strikes in Venezuela" (2026)

5. PBS: "A timeline of U.S. military escalation against Venezuela" (2026)

6. WOLA: "Unilateral U.S. military intervention to remove authoritarian dictator" (2026)

7. YouTube: "Venezuelans react to Maduro's capture" (2026)

8. ABC News: "Venezuela live updates" (2026)

9. Air & Space Forces: "US Airpower Paved Way for Special Ops" (2026)

10. Catholic News Agency: "More persecution against the Catholic Church in Venezuela" (2026)

11. The Pillar: "Venezuelan bishops silent after Maduro capture" (2026)

12. Religion Unplugged: "'Victory In The Name Of Jesus'" (2026)

13. The Tablet: "Venezuelan Church prays after Maduro seized" (2026)

14. Washington Stand: "Will Maduro's Capture Signal the End" (2026)

15. Open Doors: "Venezuela: State moves in to silence church" (undated)

16. National Catholic Register: "Just Wars and Unjust Regimes" (2025)

17. OLIRE: "Political Use of Religion Continues in Venezuela" (2025)

18. NPR: "Top Republicans praise Venezuela operation" (2026)

19. U.S. State Department: "Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks" (2025)

20. YouTube: "Marco Rubio BLASTS Maduro" (2026)

21. POLITICO: "The hawks are winning" (2026)

22. Reuters: "Democratic US lawmakers say they were misled" (2026)

23. YouTube: "Marco Rubio Warns World After Maduro Captured" (2026)

24. New York Times: "Shock and Skepticism in World's Capitals" (2026)

25. Common Dreams: "After Venezuela Assault, Trump and Rubio Warn" (2026)

26. Times of Israel: "US senator quotes Rubio" (2026)

27. CBS News: "U.S. strikes Venezuela and captures Maduro" (2026) [Duplicate reference for Trump statements]

28. YouTube: "Full speech: President Trump addresses nation" (2026)

29. ABC News: "Venezuela live updates" (2026) [Duplicate]

30. NBC News: "Trump says U.S. will govern Venezuela" (2026)

31. BBC: "Trump says US is going to 'run' Venezuela" (2026)

32. Al Jazeera: "Trump says US will ‘run’ Venezuela" (2026)

33. PBS: "WATCH: Trump holds news conference" (2026)

34. NPR: "Trump says the U.S. will 'run' Venezuela" (2026)

35. YouTube: "Trump says U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela" (2026)

36. New York Times: "Venezuela Detains Americans" (2025)

37. CNN: "Venezuela has detained several Americans" (2026)

38. Yahoo News: "CNN's Wolf Blitzer Bizarrely Claims" (2026)

39. New York Post: "Venezuela is holding at least 5 Americans" (2025)

40. Atlantic Council: "Speaking out: Former wrongfully detained Americans" (undated)

41. Fox News: "Venezuela arrests more Americans" (2025)

42. Facebook (BBC News): "Nicolás Maduro and his wife have arrived" (2026)

43. Instagram (Helen Clark): "It's hard not to conclude" (2026)

44. El Pais: "Delta Force, the elite US military unit" (2026)

45. X Posts from Reuters and Taban (2026)

Jesus Montero Dead at 35

Remembering Jesús Montero: The Rise and Tragic Fall of a Yankees Phenom

In the high-stakes world of Major League Baseball, few stories capture the intoxicating blend of promise and peril quite like that of Jesús Montero. Born on November 28, 1989, in the dusty streets of Guacara, Venezuela, Montero emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most hyped prospects in Yankees history. At just 16 years old, he signed with the New York Yankees for a staggering $1.6 million bonus, a sum that spoke volumes about the raw talent scouts saw in the stocky teenager with the powerful swing. Montero wasn't just a player; he was a symbol of hope for a farm system brimming with potential, part of the so-called "Baby Bombers" that included future stars like Gary Sánchez and Dellin Betances. His journey, however, would veer from the glittering path of stardom to one marked by controversy, resilience, and ultimately, heartbreaking loss. On October 19, 2025, at the age of 35, Montero succumbed to injuries sustained in a devastating motorcycle accident in his homeland, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate in the hearts of fans and former teammates alike.

Montero's story begins in the vibrant baseball culture of Venezuela, where the sport is more than a game—it's a lifeline out of poverty. Growing up in a working-class family, young Jesús spent countless hours honing his craft on makeshift fields, his bat cracking against worn-out balls under the relentless tropical sun. His natural gifts were evident early on: a compact frame that belied explosive power, quick hands that turned pitches into line drives, and an uncanny ability to handle the demands of catching, a position that requires both physical toughness and mental acuity. By age 15, he was already turning heads in local tryouts, and when Yankees scouts descended on Venezuela in 2006, they knew they had found a gem.

The signing bonus alone thrust Montero into the spotlight, but it was his rapid ascent through the minors that solidified his status as a can't-miss talent. In his first professional season with the Yankees' Gulf Coast League affiliate, the 16-year-old catcher hit .463 with three home runs in just 22 games, earning Rookie League All-Star honors. It was a harbinger of things to come. Over the next few years, Montero tore through the system like a force of nature. In 2008, at Single-A Charleston, he slugged .499 with 16 homers, showcasing plate discipline beyond his years. By 2010, promoted to Double-A Trenton, he was batting .299/.350/.491, earning the Eastern League Most Valuable Player award. That same year, Baseball America ranked him as the Yankees' top prospect and the No. 2 catching prospect in all of baseball. His tools were elite: a plus hit tool, plus power, and average speed for a catcher, all packaged in a 6-foot, 200-pound body that screamed future All-Star.

What set Montero apart, though, was his poise. In an organization known for its pressure cooker, where every prospect carries the weight of pinstripes, he thrived. He made two appearances in the All-Star Futures Game, the showcase for baseball's brightest young stars, in 2009 and 2011. In the latter, he launched a home run that echoed through the stadium, a moment that had Yankees Universe buzzing about the next great homegrown hero. General Manager Brian Cashman once called him "the best player I've traded," a backhanded compliment that underscored the impossible expectations placed on his broad shoulders. Montero wasn't just climbing the ladder; he was rewriting the narrative of what a Venezuelan catcher could achieve in the majors.

The pinnacle of his prospect days came in September 2011. After dominating Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with an .814 OPS and starting 87 games behind the plate, Montero earned his long-awaited call-up to the Bronx. It was a dream realized for a kid who had idolized icons like Iván Rodríguez and Johnny Bench. In his debut on September 22 against the Rays, he went 0-for-4, but the rust shook off quickly. Over his first 18 games, Montero hit .328 with a .406 on-base percentage and .590 slugging mark, including three home runs and 12 RBIs in just 61 at-bats. He became an immediate fixture in the lineup, catching aces like CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova while providing a spark to a Yankees team that clinched the AL East. That postseason, though limited, he appeared in the ALDS against the Tigers, going 1-for-3 in a brief cameo. At 21, the world was his oyster. Pundits compared him to Buster Posey, predicting a decade of dominance. The Yankees had their catcher of the future, and Montero had arrived.

But baseball, as any veteran will tell you, is a cruel mistress. The off-season after his debut brought seismic change. On January 23, 2012, in a move that stunned the baseball world, the Yankees traded Montero and right-hander Héctor Noesí to the Seattle Mariners for pitchers Michael Pineda and José Campos. It was a blockbuster deal born of necessity—Yankees brass sought immediate rotation help, while Seattle coveted Montero's bat to anchor their rebuilding lineup. For fans in the Bronx, it felt like a betrayal; Montero was their golden boy, the heart of the Baby Bombers. In Seattle, however, he was welcomed as a savior. The Mariners, mired in years of mediocrity, saw in him the thumper they desperately needed at DH or first base.

Montero's Mariners tenure started promisingly. In his first spring training, he impressed with his power stroke, and by Opening Day, he was penciled in as the everyday catcher. But the position proved grueling. Injuries nagged at him—a strained oblique in April sidelined him for weeks—and the defensive demands exposed weaknesses in his throwing arm, leading to frequent shifts to designated hitter. Still, his bat kept him afloat. In 2012, he played 150 games, hitting .260 with 15 home runs and 67 RBIs, posting an .814 OPS that ranked among the league's best for qualifiers. One highlight stands out: On June 8, 2012, Montero was behind the plate as six Mariners pitchers combined for a no-hitter against the Dodgers, the first in franchise history. His steady presence, calling pitches and managing the staff, was pivotal in that gem.

The following year brought more promise. Montero belted 11 homers in just 95 games before a fractured ankle in July cut his season short. He returned in 2014, but the shine was fading. His average dipped to .208, plagued by strikeouts and a high chase rate. Injuries mounted—a hamstring strain, wrist issues—and whispers of inconsistency grew louder. By 2015, his final full season in Seattle, he managed just 109 games, hitting .244 with nine homers. The Mariners, in their endless quest for pitching, designated him for assignment that October. Montero's big-league career, which spanned 245 games over five seasons, ended with a .239 average, 39 home runs, and 156 RBIs. Solid numbers for a young catcher, but far from the superstar projection.

What followed was the darkest chapter in Montero's story, one that cast a long shadow over his achievements. In August 2013, while still with Seattle, he received a 50-game suspension for testing positive for boldenone, an anabolic steroid. It was a gut punch to a player who had always projected quiet confidence. Montero issued a statement accepting responsibility but denying intentional use, claiming it stemmed from tainted supplements. The baseball world, still raw from the steroid era, was unforgiving. He missed the end of the 2013 season and much of 2014, returning to a clubhouse rife with skepticism.

The suspensions didn't stop there. In 2016, now in the Toronto Blue Jays' minor leagues after being claimed off waivers, Montero tested positive again—this time for dimethylbutylamine, a stimulant used to combat fatigue. Another 50-game ban followed, his second in three years. Critics piled on, labeling him a cautionary tale of squandered talent. Opportunities dried up; a brief stint in the Baltimore Orioles system in 2017 yielded no major-league return. By 2018, Montero was out of affiliated ball, bouncing to independent leagues and winter ball in Venezuela. The once-unstoppable prospect had become a journeyman, his name synonymous more with scandal than stardom.

Yet, to reduce Montero's narrative to PED violations would be a disservice. Behind the headlines was a man grappling with the immense pressures of fame. At 16, he left home for the uncertainties of American minor-league life—language barriers, cultural isolation, the relentless grind of bus rides and subpar facilities. The Yankees' system, for all its resources, demanded perfection, and Montero bore the brunt. Teammates later recalled his infectious laugh and clubhouse charisma, but also the loneliness that crept in during slumps. The suspensions, while inexcusable, highlighted broader issues in baseball: lax regulation of supplements, the temptation to cut corners in a performance-driven sport, and the lack of robust support for young players navigating these pitfalls.

After his MLB days, Montero returned to Venezuela, where baseball remained his anchor. He played in the Venezuelan Winter League for teams like the Leones del Caracas, mentoring younger catchers and rediscovering joy in the game. Off the field, he built a life grounded in family. In 2014, he welcomed daughter Loren Alejandra, and in 2015, son Jesús Alejandro—both diagnosed with autism. With his partner, Venezuelan model Taneth Giménez, Montero became an advocate, channeling energy into therapies and awareness. Friends described him as a devoted father, attending every school event, coaching little league on weekends. Baseball took a backseat to fatherhood; he opened a small training academy in Guacara, teaching kids the fundamentals he once wielded so masterfully. "El Niño," as fans still called him, had grown into a quiet pillar of his community, far from the neon lights of Yankee Stadium.

It's this redemption arc that makes Montero's death all the more shattering. On October 4, 2025, while riding his motorcycle through the bustling streets of Valencia, Carabobo state, tragedy struck. Witnesses reported that Montero's bike collided with an oncoming truck at high speed, perhaps due to a momentary lapse or slick roads from recent rains. The impact was catastrophic: a punctured lung, six fractured ribs, multiple breaks in his femur, tibia, and fibula, plus severe hip and knee damage. Rushed to Dr. Enrique Tejera Hospital, he suffered cardiac arrest en route and required immediate resuscitation. Placed in a medically induced coma, Montero fought for two agonizing weeks, surrounded by family and well-wishers. A GoFundMe campaign, launched by friends to cover mounting medical bills in Venezuela's strained healthcare system, raised over $50,000, a testament to the love he inspired.

On October 19, as the baseball world geared up for the World Series, the news broke: Jesús Montero had passed away. The Yankees, ever gracious, issued a poignant statement: "The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time." Seattle followed suit, honoring the man who caught their historic no-hitter. Tributes flooded social media—teammates like Robinson Canó shared photos from their Mariners days, calling him "hermano eterno." Cashman, reflecting on the trade, admitted regret: "He was special, and we'll always remember the kid who lit up the Bronx."

Montero's death, at 35, feels profoundly unfair—a vibrant life cut short just as he was embracing its quieter rhythms. In Venezuela, where road accidents claim thousands annually due to poor infrastructure and lax enforcement, his story underscores systemic failures. Yet, it's his personal triumphs that endure: the home runs that thrilled crowds, the family he cherished, the lessons imparted to wide-eyed prospects. Baseball lost a what-if, but the world lost a fighter who, despite stumbles, always rose swinging.

As we reflect on Montero's legacy, it's a reminder of the fragility beneath the glamour. Prospects like him burn bright, but life demands more than a .300 average. Jesús taught us resilience, the cost of shortcuts, and the redemptive power of love. In Guacara, kids still swing bats in his name, dreaming of pinstripes. And somewhere, in the echoes of a no-hitter or a Futures Game blast, his spirit catches fire once more.

 

 Sources

- ESPN: "Ex-MLB catcher Jesus Montero, 35, dies after traffic accident"

- People Magazine: "Jesús Montero, Former Yankees and Mariners Player, Dies at 35 Following Motorcycle Crash"

- Fox News: "Jesús Montero, former Yankees top prospect and Mariners player, dead at 35"

- MLB.com: "Former top prospect, big leaguer Montero dies at 35"

- The Athletic: "Former Yankees, Mariners catcher Jesús Montero dies after crash in Venezuela"

- Daily Mail: "Ex-Yankees star dead at 35: Tributes pour in for baseball catcher after shock death in traffic accident"

- Los Angeles Times: "Jesús Montero, former Yankees and Mariners slugger, dies at 35 after a motorcycle crash"

- KOMO News: "Former Mariners player Jesús Montero dies after car accident in Venezuela"

- TSN: "Ex-MLB catcher Jesus Montero, 35, dies after traffic accident"

- CBS Sports: "Former Yankees, Mariners catcher Jesús Montero dies at 35"

Illegal immigrant Kills Georgia Nursing Student

Tragedy Strikes: Nursing Student Found Dead on UGA Campus

Introduction

In a heartbreaking turn of events, 22-year-old nursing student Laken Hope Riley was found dead near a lake on the University of Georgia (UGA) campus in Athens. The discovery has left the community in shock and mourning, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding her untimely demise.

The Discovery

On February 22, 2024, Riley's friend reported her missing after she failed to return from a morning run around the Intramural Fields on what is typically known as "East Campus." The UGA Police Department immediately launched a search operation. Tragically, Riley was found unconscious with visible injuries in a forested area near Lake Herrick. The evidence at the scene indicated foul play, prompting further investigation by law enforcement.

Cause of Death

The official police reports have now revealed that Laken Hope Riley died from "blunt force trauma." The details surrounding this tragedy remain under scrutiny as authorities work diligently to piece together what happened. Her cause and manner of death are still pending further examination.

Laken's Journey

Laken Hope Riley was an active and well-liked member of her community. She transferred to Augusta University's College of Nursing from UGA after the spring 2023 semester. Despite her busy schedule as a nursing student, she remained active in her sorority (Alpha Chi Omega at UGA) and participated in community activities. Riley had even made the dean's list at Augusta University College of Nursing last fall.

Her social media posts reflected her vibrant life—a smiling photo with friends just days before her death, and her participation in the Athens, Georgia Half-Marathon last October. She was pictured with her mother, Allyson Brown Phillips, who expressed excitement about having her daughter home for the weekend.

Community Response

The tragedy has deeply affected both students and parents within the UGA community. Veronica Bennett, a concerned mother, emphasized that relying solely on safety apps is insufficient for campus security. She called for additional security improvements beyond existing measures to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.

Conclusion

An arrest was made in the case of Laken Riley's murder.  A 26-year-old, Jose Antonio Ibarras, a resident of Athens Georgia was arrested. He was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of  Riley. 

Ibarras is an illegal immigrant who crossed the border illegally in September of last year from El Paso.  He was arrested numerous times around the United States, particularly in New York though the NYPD denies this. His brother was arrested as well for Green Card fraud.  Jose's wife spoke about their relationship stating they got married to fool the American system into giving them asylum status.  This story is one of many regarding the criminal activities of illegal migrants entering our nation.  Something has to be done to vet these people. America failed Laken Hope Riley. Democrats failed her and led to her death with their lax justice systems. 

As we mourn Laken Hope Riley's passing, we must reflect on how to better protect our students and communities. Her memory will live on as we seek answers and strive for safer campuses across our educational institutions.

---

*Note: This blog post is based on official reports and information available at the time of writing.*

---

Sources:

1. [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2024/02/23/us-news/missing-nursing-student-found-dead-on-univ-of-georgia-campus-idd/)

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/uga-suspect-brother-fake-green-card/

https://nypost.com/2024/02/25/opinion/laken-riley-murder-suspect-jose-ibarra-was-free-because-the-system-is-broken/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jose-ibarra-suspect-murder-georgia-nursing-student-illegal-entry-venezuela/

https://www.foxnews.com/us/laken-riley-murder-suspect-jose-ibarra-lived-within-5-minute-walk-uga-crime-scene

https://www.the-sun.com/news/10487141/uga-suspect-jose-antonio-ibarras-arrest-laken-hope-riley/

https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/local/2024/02/24/jose-antonio-ibarra-charged-with-laken-riley-murder-booked-into-jail/72725217007/

https://www.newsweek.com/jose-antonio-ibarras-wife-speaks-out-after-laken-rileys-death-1873146

Eduardo Menoni: El Pollo Loco Infradotado Enojado Venezolano en Facebook

Editor's note: The post will be black in English and Green in Spanish. 

Nota del editor: la publicación será negra en inglés y verde en español.

Last year, a reader of my blog linked me to a Spanish Facebook post where this guy was posting ridiculous claims about God and religion. While not describing himself as an atheist, he posted the same banal arguments already refuted by many, including myself. Since the post was in Spanish, I tried my best to read it and respond to it using the Spanish I know and translators such as Google Translate. I wrote my refutation in both languages so that all of my readers can enjoy seeing how atheist arguments are easily refutable. You can see it here: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2017/11/refutado-las-pruebas-definitivas-de-que.html.  Well, after a year and some months, the guy, Eduardo Menoni messaged me in one of my Facebook post writing in Spanish that he sent me a private message.  Since he is not a "Facebook Friend," his message was sent to another folder on Facebook's Messenger. I found it and read it. It was a typical juvenial snarky message claiming that my post did not refute his claims.  In the message, he even wanted to debate me on You Tube.  

El año pasado, un lector de mi blog me vinculó a una publicación en Facebook en español donde este tipo publicaba afirmaciones ridículas sobre Dios y la religión. Aunque no se describía a sí mismo como un ateo, publicó los mismos argumentos triviales refutados por muchos, incluido yo mismo. Como la publicación fue en español, hice todo lo posible para leerla y responderla utilizando el español que conozco y traductores como Google Translate. Escribí mi refutación en ambos idiomas para que todos mis lectores puedan disfrutar viendo cómo los argumentos ateos son fácilmente refutables. Puedes verlo aqui: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2017/11/refutado-las-pruebas-definitivas-de-que.html. Bueno, después de un año y algunos meses, el tipo, Eduardo Menoni, me envió un mensaje privado en una de mis publicaciones de Facebook en español. Como él no es un "amigo de Facebook", su mensaje fue enviado a otra carpeta en el Messenger de Facebook. Lo encontré y lo leí. Era un típico mensaje juvenil sarcástico que decía que mi publicación no refutaba sus afirmaciones. En el mensaje, incluso quiso debatirme en You Tube.

Apparently, this kid is some pretentious YouTuber who is trying to become a social media celebrity posting silly videos. As usual, I accepted his request to debate and asked him to provide his identification and academic credentials to verify that he is worth debating. I will not waste my time and knowledge on amateurs or people who lack any higher education skills. In good faith, I opened up our ministry at Sacerdotus to a debate; however, this kid just wanted to troll. You can see his messages to me where he resorts to personal attacks and puerile behavior. In one message, he even tried to discredit me by claiming that my Instagram account does not have many followers. I got a laugh out of this and noted how he lacked critical thinking skills due to the fact that my Instagram account is brand new. Previously, Father Carl Diederich ran the account using "Sacerdotus." He was kind enough to hand the name to me so that I could use it to further the Sacerdotus ministry. While not an expert, I have been playing with Instagram and learning how to use it to promote the faith and challenge its challengers. 

Aparentemente, este chico es un YouTuber pretencioso que está tratando de convertirse en una celebridad de las redes sociales publicando videos tontos. Como de costumbre, acepté su pedido de debatir y le pedí que proporcionara su identificación y credenciales académicas para verificar que valía la pena debatir. No voy a perder el tiempo y el conocimiento sobre aficionados o personas que carecen de habilidades de educación superior. De buena fe, abrí nuestro ministerio en Sacerdotus a un debate; sin embargo, este niño solo quería troll. Puedes ver sus mensajes donde recurre a ataques personales y comportamiento pueril. En un mensaje, incluso trató de desacreditarme alegando que mi cuenta de Instagram no tiene muchos seguidores. Me reí de esto y noté cómo carecía de habilidades de pensamiento crítico debido al hecho de que mi cuenta de Instagram es completamente nueva. Anteriormente, el padre Carl Diederich ejecutó la cuenta usando "Sacerdotus". Él tuvo la amabilidad de entregarme el nombre para poder usarlo para promover el ministerio de Sacerdotus. Aunque no soy un experto, he estado jugando con Instagram y aprendiendo cómo usarlo para promover la fe y desafiar a sus rivales.

In any event, the kid Menoni continued his childishness in several messages showing he was triggered and envious of me. You can see his replies degrade to that of a middle schooler engaging in taunts and nonsense. Here I post the screen shots of the exchange and the original text.  As expected, he blocked me on Facebook and later on Instagram. This demonstrates his inability to engage with someone who has more education and experience than he does.

En cualquier caso, el niño Menoni continuó con su infantilismo en varios mensajes que mostraban que se había desencadenado y que tenía envidia de mí. Puedes ver que sus respuestas se degradan a las de un estudiante de secundaria que se involucra en burlas y tonterías. Aquí publico las capturas de pantalla del intercambio y el texto original. Como era de esperar, me bloqueó en Facebook y luego en Instagram. Esto demuestra su incapacidad para relacionarse con alguien que tenga más educación y experiencia que él.

You can use the Google Translate button on this site to translate the exchange into whatever language you prefer reading in. Hopefully, this post will expose Eduardo Menoni as a petty caricature who trolls Christians while making a complete fool of himself with his lack of education and maturity. Like most You Tubers, he is a kid looking for attention which he does not get offline. As a Venezuelan (Menoni), I cannot imagine the indoctrination he has received from his failed nation and its Socialism. He is clearly a Spanish dish missing the rice and beans.  His large bulging mosquito or bug eyes and sadistic smile says much psychologically speaking; even though they might be a sign of thyroidal problems.        

Puedes usar el botón Google Translate en este sitio para traducir el intercambio al idioma que prefieras leer. Con suerte, este post expone a Eduardo Menoni como una pequeña caricatura que atrapa a los cristianos mientras se hace el ridículo con su falta de educación y madurez. Como la mayoría de los You Tubers, él es un niño que busca atención y no se desconecta. Como venezolano (Menoni), no puedo imaginarme el adoctrinamiento que recibió de su nación fallida y su socialismo. Es claramente un plato español al que le faltan arroz y habichuelas.  Sus grandes ojos abultados de bichos o mosquitos y su sonrisa sádica dicen mucho psicológicamente hablando; a pesar de que pueden ser un signo de problemas tiroideos.

Here are the screen shots and text:

Aquí están las capturas de pantalla y el texto:

Editor's Note: The black text are my messages while the green are Eduardo's
Nota del editor: El texto negro son mis mensajes mientras que el verde son de Eduardo

Hola, buenas noches, he leído tu intento de refutar mi texto sobre las evidencias de que dios y el diablo no existen y me gustaría debatir en vivo contigo en youtube
para desmontar y refutar toda tu argumentación, ya que tiene bastante fallas y evaciones a mis respuestas, si gustas podemos debatir en vivo y dejar el video grabado en youtube


FRI 11:25PM
You accepted their request.
Hola. Me había olvidado de ti. Alguien me había enviado su publicación en mi sitio y me pidió que lo refutara. Lo rebatí porque el contenido tenía muchos conceptos erróneos comunes entre aquellos que no se molestan en investigar. Puedes unirte a mí en vivo en Sacerdotus Hangouts en cualquier momento, sin embargo, solo debes seguir los requisitos que se encuentran aquí http://www.sacerdotus.com/p/debate.html?m=0. Además, hablo inglés y no mucho español porque soy estadounidense. Esto probablemente sea problemático si no tiene una comprensión sólida del idioma inglés. También puede contestar directamente en la publicación si es más fácil para ti. Puedo responder en ambos idiomas como lo hice en mi refutación. Tus ideas erróneas tienen respuestas y quiero que el mundo sepa que no has descubierto nada nuevo. Solo acaba de repetir los mismos argumentos banales ya refutados.


SAT 1:24AM
Jejeje tienes mucho ego
Tengo 10 años investigando del cristianismo y créeme que el erróneo y equivocado eres tú
Por eso quiero debatir en vivo para rebatir tus conceptos erróneos y de lavado de cerebro cristiano
Para amar a los demás como a ti mismo. Ti ego está por el cielo donde está tu supuesto dios ??
Tú ego *


SAT 4:32AM
Lamento decirlo, pero está claro que no has estudiado ni investigado los temas en cuestión. Tu publicación refleja tu ignorancia y es por eso que decidí refutarla para que otros que puedan tener los mismos conceptos erróneos puedan ver que sí tienen respuestas. Doy la bienvenida a cualquier debate, solo cumple con los requisitos. No debatiré con nadie que camine en la calle. La persona debe tener una educación de nivel universitario y una comprensión del tema debatido. Fui ateo toda mi vida, así que estás ladrando al árbol equivocado, como dicen en Estados Unidos. No hay ningún argumento que puedas presentar que yo no sepa ni use. Es por eso que escribí mi libro popular El ateísmo es estúpido. El volumen 2 vendrá pronto. Simplemente estás repitiendo los mismos argumentos banales utilizados en los siglos XVII y XVIII. Están muertos en la academia, pero vivos entre las personalidades en línea que pretenden ser racionales. Como es, tengo grados en física, psicología, biología y filosofía. También tengo experiencia en teología y estudios bíblicos. Con eso dicho, doy la bienvenida a cualquier debate siempre que no sea una pérdida de tiempo, una plataforma para trolls en línea, y cumpla con los requisitos de un debate académico. ¿Habla usted Inglés? El lenguaje será el único problema. Puedo responder a las cosas básicas, no a todas las cosas en español e italiano. Nací en Nueva York, entonces mi idioma es el inglés. Por último, esto no tiene nada que ver con el ego. Tal vez tienes un complejo de inferioridad? Solo soy un tipo seguro debido a mis numerosos títulos y experiencia. Sin embargo, su ad hominem está debidamente anotado.
??
1


SAT 9:31AM
Eres solo un pobre ególatra por eso tú ignorancia la tapas con tus títulos y buscando disminuir a los demás. Yo soy licenciado con especialización y soy profesor por más de 5 años a nivel de maestría y especialización. El único complejos acá es tu inflado ego. Cuando hablas de que la gente de la calle no es como tú con un aire de superioridad que da asco. Hasta Jesus el maestro espiritual, no el personaje ficticio, te hubiese pateado la cara por ególatra. Realmente eres como casi tldlsñs cristianos un pobre hipócrita. Pensé debatir contigo en vivo pero eres solo un idiota con el cerebro lavado que seguramente vive de engañar a los demás con la pseudoreligión y le pide un diezmo que ni Jesús pedía. Con razón no pones  ni la foto tuya. Hasta tu mismo en el fondo te das asco. Basta con leerte y analizarte para darse cuenta. Yo fui creyente hasta los 14 años he leído la biblia completa y también tengo 10 años estudiando sobre la psicología y la espiritualidad, además de filosofia y no soy más ni menos que nadie. Tú complejo de inferioridad buscas taparlo con tus títulos y buscando humillar a los demás. Cosa que no es de alguien que supuestamente dice se practicante. Gente como tú da asco. Pensé en un debate serio pero con basuras como tú no vale la pena. Por eso tú debiste rebatirme con falacias y estás tan temeroso que solo profieres insultos diciendo no has indagado o no tienes títulos. La falacia ad hominen la usas tú pobre mequetrefe. Realmente mi lucha es contra gente como tú. Así que de mi parte no perderé más tiempo. Eres como todos los fanáticos religiosos solo un pobre ególatra. Revisé mi nota y vi tu post de hace 25 semanas. Realmente da pena por eso quería debatir en vivo porque con lógica puedo refutarte fácilmente. Por cierto tanto que desprecias a los no estudiados, que no es mi caso, te recuerdo que Jesús el que dices es hijo de "dios" nunca tuvo título. Así que puedes meterte tus títulos en el culo, junto a tu ego.
Así que realmente basuras como tú dan asco, lástima y risa. Con toda el alma te digo realmente eres un pobre tipo que su solo ego es muestra de la hipocresía de las pseudoreligiones. Tu ego y falacias ad hominen están debidamente anotadas. Por suerte cualquiera con algo de inteligencia lo puede notar. Siga con su ego y lavando cerebros. Yo seguiré revelando la verdad luchando contra basuras como tú. Por algo te hicieron llegar mi texto porque mi texto tiene llegada y está despertando gente. Tú nunca fuiste ateo. Eres y serás un pobre ególatra con inteligencia realmente limitada que esconde su identidad como buena basura que no es capaz de dar la cara. Algo que denota que tú mismo te escondes y que de ti mismo no estás tan orgulloso como tu boca intenta decir. Pero pendejos cómo tú no me engañan.
Hasta nunca tipejo
Qué ni valentía tiene de dar la cara y nombre ??
Por cierto pasé por las 4 cuentas de instagram de Sacerdotus ninguna supera los 100 seguidores. Eres solo pelusa de ombligo que nadie lee ?? mi nota de dios y el diablo tiene más me gustas que tus propias cuentas en instagram jajaja. Por suerte la gente no sigue a ególatras e idiotas. El ateísmo no es idiota. Tú eres el idiota cuando eras ateo y actualmente que es diferente jajajajajaja además me da compasión que no colocas ni tu cara. Solo imágenes tuyas en caricatura jajajajajaja como un niño de 12 años. Y después llamas a los demás troll. Mírate en un espejo enfermo mental jajaaja realmente me haz hecho el día

SUN 1:51AM
Su envidia es debidamente notada. Parece que he tocado un nervio en ti. Su falta de madurez es evidente en su respuesta defensiva. Muestra signos de una psique frágil que se desencadena fácilmente por una presencia más formidable. Perdóneme, pero según su publicación, no puedo creer que tenga alguna credencial de educación superior. Tu publicación estuvo mal escrita, mal investigada y basada en argumentos banales ya refutados. Si hubieras investigado, lo sabrías. Por otra parte, usted es hispano y proviene de una nación del tercer mundo. Habiendo dicho eso, puedo entender por qué no tendrías la misma capacidad educativa e intelectual que aquellos en las naciones del primer mundo como los Estados Unidos. Además, los hombres hispanos tienden a ser muy frágiles y emocionales. Se ponen a la defensiva cuando están amenazados. Su machismo está bajo ataque por lo que recurren a la puerilidad como lo has hecho. Tenga en cuenta sus comentarios sobre seguidores de instagram. ¿Desde cuándo los seguidores de las redes sociales son una medida de éxito o capacidad? Esto me dice que no tienes otra fuente de autoestima que no sea la emoción que experimentas a través de los seguidores de las redes sociales. Eso es triste. Mis cuentas de instagram son nuevas. Fueron creados hace solo unas semanas. Si fuera inteligente y supiera cómo investigar, vería las fechas de las fotos publicadas. Nuevamente, este es un indicador de que no tiene las habilidades críticas que una persona que es un graduado universitario debería tener. Ad hominem no es un argumento. Es una falacia ¿Sabes lo que significa un ad hominem? Como dijo Sócrates, "cuando se pierde el debate, la calumnia se convierte en la herramienta del perdedor". Tu publicación muestra este mecanismo de defensa que es típico de alguien que es derrotado. Además, mi sitio web tiene más de 1 millón de visitantes. Incluso fue galardonado con la mejor medalla católica, ateo y filosofía debido a su popularidad. Además, "Sacerdotus" es un ministerio, por lo tanto, no entiendo por qué necesitas ver una cara unida a él. Este es un ministerio dirigido por varias personas. ¿Eres una mariposa como dicen en los países latinos? ¿Por qué necesitas ver una cara masculina? Como se dijo anteriormente, los hombres hispanos a menudo son frágiles y se ponen a la defensiva debido a que tienen una masculinidad débil. Tu reacción indica esto. No era mi intención hacerte sentir a la defensiva, amenazado o causar que te emocionen emocionalmente. Aprende a ser estoico como yo, que usa la razón sobre las emociones. Aprende a tomar cosas como un hombre y no como una persona pusilanime. Si estos estallidos de frustración y puerilidad son lo que debo esperar en un debate, entonces no, gracias. Solo debatiré individuos cultos, maduros y compuestos, no individuos irascibles que se presentan a sí mismos como una parodia humana. Vuelve cuando hayas madurado. Estás tratando con los hombres grandes ahora pequeño niño.


Jajaja envidia de un ególatra que no pone no fotos y no lo lee nadie ??
Seguro que quiero ser como tú hahaha
Niño pequeño, por favor, crezca.  Estás actuando como un alumno de 6to grado.
??
1

Jajaja sí claro pobre ególatra
Que dice ser muy culto por vivir en Usa
Despreciando como buen ególatra a lo distinto a ti.
Realmente como sacerdote eres una basura
Por eso te escondes como cobarde el único frágil eres tú pobre pusilánime basura ambulante
Por eso no debates por eso te escondes como la mierda que eres
Hablas tanta tontería que da risa. Realmente ??
Por otro lado que la gente te lea significa que te valoren y aprecien. De qué te sirven tantos títulos si no te lee nadie
Y ese blog feo que tienes tiene 1 millón de visitas jajajajajaja y no te sigue nadie
Realmente eres pelusa de ombligo y un maldito ególatra. Me cagó en ti eternamente
Y ojalá te tenga enfrente algún día a ver si eres tan hombre como insultando tras una pantalla
Basuras hipócritas como tú que dicen predico amor pero solo desprecian. Realmente dan asco. Al menos la mierda es abono pero tú eres menos que mierda ?? jajaja seguro que soy un niño que esconde su cara y nombre como tú jajajajajajajajaja maldito hipócrita
De mi parte sigue con tu lavado de cerebro que no lee no tu mamá
?? seguiré disfrutando de la gente que aprecia mi mensaje y que abre su conciencia
Jajajaja hombre del primer mundo muy culto. Debe ser que seguramente fuera de USA nadie lee jajajajajaja realmente das risa como buen hipócrita jajaja
Sigue con tu ministerio de hipocresía ?? yo seguiré aplastando a escorias como tú. Lástima le husite al debate como el cobarde que eres escondida tras el anonimato de internet
Hubiese disfrutado destruir tus pobres e inflados argumentos ególatras en vivo ??
Pero no público hubiese tenido. Esa basura que llamas ministerio no la sigue nadie jaja enjoy lady


SUN 5:47AM
Su envidia es debidamente notada. Vuelve cuando hayas madurado. Todo lo que veo aquí es una angustia adolescente.


SUN 8:27AM
Jajajajajajajaj
Seguro. Vuelve cuando practiques lo que prediques basura e hipócrita. Cuando no te creas más que nadie por ser de un lugar. Cuando puedas refutar con bases y no con supuestos títulos. Cuando des la cara y el apellido y cuando al menos te lean 100 personas. Jajajaja
Seguro quiero ser como tú. Qué tu propia gente te hizo llegar mi texto que tiene más llegada que cualquier estupidez de las que tú públicas en internet
Así que créeme pobre ególatra con aires de grandilocuencia, no eres nadie, no aplicas ni siquiera lo que predicas en tu miserable vida que al un tarado envidiaria
Basura cobarde sin valentía y honor. Cómo te dije. Me cago eternamente en ti basura ?? y no perderé más tiempo en ti sacerdote de la falsedad como todos los sacerdotes cristianos que sólo los mueve el dinero y el ego. Jajaja el sr Estado unidense que cree que la gente no puede leer porque no nació en un país desarrollado. Qué cree que sólo el puede formarse y que se cree tan sabio qué dice tener 1 millón de lectores al mes pero que no es capaz ni poner una foto en sus perfiles, su apellido y que de ese millón de lectores en 4 cuentas de instagram y en fb no supera las 100 personas jajajajajaja cómo te duele que no te siga nadie. Eres realmente nulo con tus fotos de caricatura y tu ego en el cielo de tu ficticio dios. Seguramente tu dios en una nube y creer que una serpiente parlanchina en el diablo es tener suprema madurez jajajajajaja me haz hecho el día fanático religioso. Amé destruirte tu frágil ego norteamericano inflado con evangelio e hipocresía.
?? no eres nadie. Te duele que no serás recordado y me alegra que así sea jajaja no te sigue ni tu familia maldito loco que habla solamente pura mierda jajajajajaja me río de ti en ti puta cara. Así no tengas las bolas de poner si quiera una foto de ti ?? adiós niño rata jaajaja 5 títulos y 1 millón de seguidores jajajajajaja ????????
Tus lectores son tan ficticios como tú inteligencia y tu dios ??


Editor's Note:  Here he blocked me like a coward and I could not reply
Nota del editor: Aquí me bloqueó como un cobarde y no pude responder


As you can see, the kid started out somewhat sane and then deteriorated into a childish fool hurling insults and nonsensical statements. It is clear that this kid's masculinity was threatened by me. Perhaps his short stature has made him vulnerable to the Napoleon complex and this is why he needs to be aggressive in order to secure his fragile psyche. We can only go by observation of his defensiveness for now. One thing that we can tell is that this kid is clearly unstable, psychologically speaking. A simple refutation should not trigger someone unless he or she is insecure in his or her views. This is what clearly happened. The kid thought he was on top of the world with his post. By showing his errors and stupidity in the post, his ego was shattered. Like a wounded animal that is cornered, he growled and scratched back the best he could. What was even more disturbing was his insistence on viewing photos of me, another male. This is odd indeed. Is Eduardo a closeted homosexual? Why the need to view another man's photo and the frustration when the request is not fulfilled?  On his Instagram he does have homoerotic imagery such as this one:

Como pueden ver, el chico comenzó algo sano y luego se deterioró hasta convertirse en un tonto infantil lanzando insultos y declaraciones sin sentido. Está claro que la masculinidad de este niño fue amenazada por mí. Tal vez su corta estatura lo ha hecho vulnerable al complejo de Napoleón y es por eso que necesita ser agresivo para asegurar su frágil psique. Solo podemos ir por observación de su actitud defensiva por el momento. Una cosa que podemos decir es que este niño es claramente inestable, psicológicamente hablando. Una simple refutación no debe desencadenar a alguien a menos que él o ella sea inseguro en sus puntos de vista. Esto es lo que claramente sucedió. El niño pensó que estaba en la cima del mundo con su publicación. Al mostrar sus errores y estupidez en el mensaje, su ego se hizo añicos. Como un animal herido que está acorralado, gruñó y le devolvió lo mejor que pudo. Lo que fue aún más perturbador fue su insistencia en ver fotos de mí, otro hombre. Esto es realmente extraño. Eduardo es un homosexual encerrado? ¿Por qué la necesidad de ver la foto de otro hombre y la frustración cuando la solicitud no se cumple? En su Instagram tiene imágenes homoeróticas como esta:

Hopefully this kid will muster up the courage to actually debate me like he wanted to. Despite our language barrier, I was open to doing it. Why he became timid and resorted to blocking me is beyond reason. I am an aggressive debater, yes; but I am so only with respect and directness. If Eduardo Menoni is an atheist, then he did a poor job representing atheism. I was expecting an honest debate with a somewhat educated kid.  Instead, I got an angry little insecure Venezuelan who resorted to middle school taunting as a defense mechanism. As Venezuelans say, "A llorar pal valle" (Go and cry in the valley).  To that I add, "y masculate y crece algunos cojones"(and man up and grow some "cojones").


Espero que este niño tenga el coraje de debatirme como quería. A pesar de nuestra barrera del idioma, estaba dispuesto a hacerlo. Por qué se volvió tímido y recurrió a bloquearme está más allá de la razón. Soy un polemista agresivo, sí; pero estoy tan solo con respeto y franqueza. Si Eduardo Menoni es ateo, entonces hizo un mal trabajo representando el ateísmo. Esperaba un debate honesto con un chico educado. En su lugar, obtuve a un pequeño venezolano inseguro y enojado que recurrió a las burlas de la escuela secundaria como un mecanismo de defensa. Como dicen los venezolanos, "A llorar pal valle." A eso agregué, "y mascula y crece algunos cojones."  




 

Source:

https://www.instagram.com/eduardomenoni/

https://www.facebook.com/notes/eduardo-menoni/las-pruebas-definitivas-de-que-dios-y-el-diablo-no-existen/10150995456822851/

Puerto Rico Eliminated Venezuela & USA Eliminates Dominican Republic

Puerto Rico is unstoppable. The team has been undefeated and has just eliminated Venezuela from the World Baseball Classic. Kenny Vargas hit a home run that scored two runs and Angel Pagan contributed with a double and two single hits. Odor of the Venezuelan team would later hit a two run homer run in the sixht, but Puerto Rico continued to score with the help of Correa, Perez and Rivera who were constantly on base and showed great running skills. In the end, Puerto Rico eliminated Venezuela 13 to 2.

 They are now heading to the Semi-Finals to face the Netherlands on Monday. The winner will advance to the championship game. Moreover, later that night, there was a rematch between the USA and the Dominican Republic. It was an elimination game as well. The USA was facing elimination along with the Dominican Republic. In the first innings, the Dominicans scored two runs. They seemed to have had the momentum. Manny Machado and Robinson Cano brought the runs in by capitalizing on errors by Brandon Crawford, the shortstop. However, that all changed.

Giancarlo Stanton, winner of the 2016 Home Run Derby singled. Johnathan Lucroy then gave a hit that put runners at the corners with no outs. Then Christian Yelich hit a double which tied the game 2 to 2. In the fourth inning, something amazing happened. Stanton came up and hit a pitch thrown by Ervin Santana of the Dominican team. The hit was probably heard around the world. It was a monster home run measured as traveling 117.3 mph. The crowds were amazed. Stanton's homer brought team USA to 4 and left the Dominicans at 2. He stands at 6'6'' and is very muscular. His hit is the fourth hearded hit home run, according to statistics.

 However, Stanton's homer was not the only amazing event. Adam Jones of the Orioles made an amazing catch. His teammate on the Orioles hit a homer run. The ball was over the wall but Jone leaped in the air and caught it robbing Machado of the homer. Machado was in awe himself and tipped his cap to his teammate. However, after this, Robinson Cano hit a home run bringing the Dominicans within one run. Team USA would not give up and would add on more runs making it 6 to 3 after double by Andrew McCutchen which brought in two runs. The Dominicans would not recover from this and would lose the game, ending their run. They were the defending champions of the World Baseball Classic. The United States will now face Japan in another rematch from 2009. Whoever wins from there will advance to the championship game and will face either Puerto Rico or Japan.

Oh say can you see? #TeamUSA has just won. They defeated #DR and will move on very far. #wbc2017 #teamdomincan #DRvsUS #worldbaseballclassic pic.twitter.com/jjuWxu1OqA

— ☧Sacerdotنs☧ (@Sacerdotus) March 19, 2017

On social media,some interesting takes on the game were posted. I had some fun myself using gifs:

Wow what a catch by Jones! #TeamUSA #wbc2017 pic.twitter.com/7GPaDvrMoH

— ☧Sacerdotنs☧ (@Sacerdotus) March 19, 2017

#TeamUSA is on top! The Dominican team is losing. #wbc2017 #worldbaseballclassic pic.twitter.com/tfgEhbGtUX

— ☧Sacerdotنs☧ (@Sacerdotus) March 19, 2017

Wow Stanton hit that hard!! #wbc2017 #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/mYghfhYJ5x

— ☧Sacerdotنs☧ (@Sacerdotus) March 19, 2017

#TeamUSA ties game!!! #wbc2017 pic.twitter.com/mlrLAnyolX

— ☧Sacerdotنs☧ (@Sacerdotus) March 19, 2017

The #Dominicans are about to be deported by #TeamUSA lol. #wbc2017 #DRvsUS #worldbaseballclassic pic.twitter.com/8tGk27n8fS

— Bronx Bomber (@Bronxbomber777) March 19, 2017

Giancarlo Stanton destroyed that ball #wbc #DRvsUS pic.twitter.com/PyzbuoCGku

— Ryland (@TheFrugalShrimp) March 19, 2017

#TeamUSA wins! #teamdominican eliminates. Na na na na na na na na hey hey hey goodbye. #wbc2017 #DRvsUS pic.twitter.com/uGIlEJYtYE

— Bronx Bomber (@Bronxbomber777) March 19, 2017

JESUS WHAT A SHOT BY STANTON!!! #DRVsUS #WBC

— Smash Adams 🇵🇷 (@MatzMatic) March 19, 2017

Source:

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/puerto-rico-wins-6th-straight-wbc-routs-venezuela-46229486

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/world-baseball-classic-puerto-rico-vs-venezuela-pictures-1.13285240

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/219876434/puerto-rico-tops-venezuela-in-rd-2-of-wbc-2017/

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2017/3/19/14972748/world-baseball-classic-usa-defeats-dominican-republic-adam-jones-giancarlo-stanton

http://www.scout.com/mlb/rumors/story/1764112-recap-usa-beats-dr-advances-to-wbc-semis