Venezuelan authorities have issued an arrest warrant for former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez amid a crackdown on the opposition following the disputed July election.
The Venezuela Prosecutor’s Office requested the warrant on Monday, accusing Gonzalez of “crimes associated with terrorism.”
Gonzalez has reportedly ignored three summons related to an investigation into an opposition website that published results from the contested election.
While President Maduro claims victory in the July 28 vote, the official results have been met with widespread skepticism.
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The opposition, led by Gonzalez, contends that their candidate won by a significant margin, as reflected in tally sheets published online.
In a statement posted on X, the Prosecutor’s Office accused Gonzalez of “crimes associated with terrorism,” including “usurpation of functions, forging a public document, instigation to disobedience of the laws, association to commit a crime, and conspiracy.”
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Gonzalez has denied these charges.
The Prosecutor’s Office is also investigating opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for similar alleged offenses.
Machado responded that such threats would only strengthen the opposition’s resolve and increase support for Gonzalez.
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“(The government) has lost touch with reality. By threatening the president-elect, they only unite us further and boost support from Venezuelans and the international community for Edmundo Gonzalez,” Machado said.
Venezuela’s electoral body, aligned with the regime, declared Maduro the winner but has yet to release full vote tallies.
Both the opposition and several nations have refused to acknowledge Maduro’s victory until the complete results are made public.
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