Venezuela's Scientific, Criminal, and Forensic Investigations Agency has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, offering a reward for information leading to his whereabouts. The announcement came just eight days before Venezuela's next presidential term begins.
Gonzalez, who fled to Spain in September following a contested election, has scheduled a trip to Argentina, where he will meet with President Javier Milei on Saturday. This visit, according to his campaign, marks the start of an international tour.
The warrant's issuance stems from an investigation related to the July 28 presidential election. Opposition claims, backed by publicly released election data from 80 percent of voting machines, allege Gonzalez won the election by a significant margin. Despite global condemnation of the election process, Venezuela's high court upheld President Nicolas Maduro's victory.
Gonzalez's campaign counters the government narrative, asserting that Maduro's allies coerced him into signing a document acknowledging his defeat as a condition of leaving the country. He is expected to return to Venezuela by January 10th, the date of the scheduled inauguration ceremony for Maduro. Details regarding his return strategy remain undisclosed.
Argentina's government has shown support for the Venezuelan opposition, providing asylum to several members of the opposition coalition since March. This demonstrates a growing international challenge to Maduro's rule.
