A Venezuelan judge reportedly ordered the arrest of former opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez on Monday amid ongoing disputes surrounding the country's elections this summer.
The arrest warrant was issued as part of a criminal investigation into Venezuela's elections, according to the Associated Press. America Gonzalez won.
But ruling leader Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner in July's election, which sparked protests in Venezuela, though the United States claims there is “overwhelming evidence” that the opposition candidate won. International criticism of the electoral process.
“Maduro has completely lost his sense of reality. The arrest warrant issued by the regime to intimidate President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez crosses another line that only strengthens the resolve of our movement,” said opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. X said in his post After news of the warrant.
Former diplomats Gonzalez and Machado went into hiding after the election.
The development came hours after the US Department of Justice announced it had seized an aircraft used by President Maduro after determining its purchase violated sanctions and export control laws.
The Justice Department alleges the plane was illegally purchased through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by President Maduro and his entourage. statement From Attorney General Merrick Garland.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Blessed Gonzalez was elected president last month as the recipient of the most votes, a result “recorded thanks to the extensive efforts of the Democratic Opposition to ensure the transparency of the vote,” the State Department said in a statement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
