Venezuela issues warrant for arrest of opposition leader Gonzalez

Venezuela prosecutor’s office announces warrant accusing Gonzalez of “crimes associated with terrorism,”

Venezuelan authorities have issued an arrest warrant for former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, escalating the government’s crackdown on the opposition following July’s controversial election.

The Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office announced the warrant on Monday, accusing Gonzalez of “crimes associated with terrorism,” including allegations of usurping functions, forging public documents, inciting disobedience, and conspiracy.

Gonzalez has not responded to three previous summons related to an investigation into an opposition website that published results from the contested July 28 election.

Despite President Nicolás Maduro's official declaration of victory, the results have been met with skepticism internationally and by the opposition, which claims that Gonzalez won in a landslide according to their published data.

The Prosecutor’s Office has also indicated that opposition leader María Corina Machado is under investigation for similar alleged crimes. Machado has dismissed the accusations and argued that such threats only serve to bolster opposition unity and support.

The Venezuelan electoral body, which is aligned with Maduro’s regime, has yet to release detailed vote tallies, leading to widespread reluctance among the opposition and other nations to recognize Maduro’s claimed victory.