LOS ANGELES — Today, City Council adopted resolutions introduced by Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez and Katy Yaroslavsky calling on President Biden, Vice President Harris, the U.S. State Department and other Federal agencies to act with urgency to secure the release of Eyvin Hernandez.
A Los Angeles resident and L.A. County Public Defender, Mr. Hernandez was kidnapped and detained in Cucuta, a city on the border of Colombia and Venezuela on March 31, 2022. Upon learning of his U.S. citizenship his kidnappers wrongfully accused him of being an American spy, transported him across multiple locations, and eventually transferred him over to the Venezuelan government. Mr. Hernandez is currently being detained in a maximum security military prison run by Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM), in Caracas, Venezuela and has been charged with criminal association and conspiracy, which could result in up to 16 years in prison.
Hearings for Mr. Hernandez’s case have been postponed multiple times and the U.S. State Department has made a determination that he has been wrongfully detained. The United Nations' Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has stated that the judiciary system in Venezuela lacks independence and serious human rights violations against opponents of the government have gone unchecked.
“I have been fortunate enough to meet and work with Eyvin Hernandez on judicial accountability measures and I know how dedicated he is to serving our communities,” said Councilmember Hernandez. “I stand with his family, friends and colleagues in calling on the President and our Federal government to do everything they can to quickly bring Eyvin back home.”
“Eyvin Hernandez is a man of impeccable character with a deep love for the law and for justice,” said Councilwoman Yaroslavsky, who was classmates with Mr. Hernandez at UCLA Law. “What Eyvin and his family are going through is nothing short of a nightmare. The Biden Administration and the U.S. Congress must do everything in their power to bring him home.”
Mr. Hernandez is an active member of the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Union – Local148, where he previously served on the board of directors. Prior to his detainment, he regularly volunteered his time to advocate for children in the juvenile justice system and served as a mentor for programs encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to apply for and attend law school.
“Eyvin has dedicated his entire career to public defense, and he’s always been a fierce advocate for the most vulnerable Angelenos,” said L.A. County Public Defenders Union – Local 148 Board President Garrett Miller. “It’s now our duty to be a strong advocate for him, and to keep advocating until he’s home. We miss our friend and colleague, and we urge city, state, and national leaders to do all they can to secure his freedom.”
The Councilmembers’ resolutions formalize the City Council’s call for federal agencies and elected officials to take urgent action to negotiate Mr. Hernandez's immediate release and ensure his well-being.