Venezuela: Arrest Warrant Issued for Opposition Candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia

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Venezuelan authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, a 75-year-old opposition candidate who claims victory in the July 28 presidential election against incumbent Nicolas Maduro. The warrant was announced on September 2 by the public prosecutor’s office, citing serious charges related to terrorism. Gonzalez Urrutia had missed three court summonses, the latest on Friday, where he was to be questioned about an opposition website declaring him the election winner.

The prosecutor's office launched an investigation in early August against Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, accusing them of "usurpation of functions, spreading false information, incitement to disobedience, incitement to insurrection, and criminal association." Machado condemned the arrest warrant, stating it only solidifies support for Gonzalez Urrutia, who has been in hiding since July 30, citing fears of a biased judiciary.

President Maduro, declared the election winner with 52% of the vote by the National Electoral Council (CNE), dismissed Gonzalez Urrutia as a "coward." The opposition, which claims Gonzalez Urrutia won over 60% of the vote, accuses the government of election fraud. Unrest following Maduro’s re-election led to 27 deaths, 192 injuries, and over 2,400 arrests. The international community, led by the U.S., largely refuses to recognize Maduro’s victory. The opposition vows to continue protests.