Venezuela Seeks Arrest Warrant for Opposition Candidate Following Disputed Election

Venezuelan authorities on Monday filed a request for an arrest warrant for Edmundo González, the opposition’s former presidential candidate, citing terrorism-related charges, Fox News reports.

This move comes just over a month after the disputed presidential election, which the opposition claims was rigged in favor of incumbent Nicolás Maduro.

The prosecutor’s request to a judge focuses on charges including conspiracy, falsifying documents, and usurpation of powers. González, a former diplomat, has been a vocal critic of Maduro’s government.

The ruling party-controlled electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner of the July 28 election hours after polls closed, without providing detailed results, a departure from previous elections. This lack of transparency has drawn widespread international condemnation.

However, the opposition claims to have obtained over 80% of the vote tally sheets, printed by every electronic voting machine, which they say demonstrate a landslide victory for González.

The opposition has consistently denounced the election as a sham, alleging widespread fraud and manipulation. The arrest warrant request for González further fuels tensions between the government and opposition, highlighting the deep political divide in the country.

International observers, including the Organization of American States (OAS), have condemned the election as lacking transparency and legitimacy.