Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the arrest of his main political rival, Edmundo Gonzalez, following a highly contested election that opposition leaders and international observers have labeled as fraudulent. Gonzalez, a former diplomat, went into hiding shortly after the election, accusing Maduro of rigging the results.
Venezuelan prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez on charges of forgery, usurpation of public duties, and incitement to disobedience, among other allegations. Maduro’s government has linked González to organized crime and terrorism, accusations widely seen by opposition leaders as politically motivated.
Maria Corina Machado, a key opposition leader, condemned the arrest warrant, stating that it demonstrates Maduro’s growing desperation. “This regime is out of touch with reality,” Machado declared. She vowed that the opposition would continue its fight against Maduro’s rule, calling the arrest warrant a clear sign of the government’s illegitimacy.
The international community has largely rejected the results of the election, with the U.S., European Union, and multiple Latin American countries refusing to recognize Maduro’s claim to victory. Data published by opposition groups suggests that González may have won by a significant margin, further fueling doubts about the election’s integrity.
Maduro’s crackdown has already resulted in dozens of deaths as protests erupt across the country. The opposition is calling for new elections, demanding transparency and fairness in a country where democratic norms appear increasingly under threat.
