A Venezuelan judge has issued an arrest warrant for opposition politician Edmundo González, who is believed to have beaten President Nicolás Maduro in the recent election. The warrant accuses González of crimes that could result in a life sentence if convicted, including criminal association and conspiracy. González, a retired diplomat, ran for president in place of banned opposition leader María Corina Machado, who denounced the decision as the government losing touch with reality.
The political crisis in Venezuela has escalated as countries refuse to accept Maduro’s victory without proof. Human rights groups report the arrest and detainment of over 1,700 people following protests sparked by the election results. González, who has been labeled a terrorist by Maduro, has gone into hiding along with Machado, who continues to appear at opposition protests.
Maduro has accused González and Machado of being part of a foreign plot to topple him and has refused to relinquish power. Hundreds of prisoners have been taken to high-security prisons and are facing terrorism charges. Key allies of Machado and González, including lawyer Perkins Rocha, have been captured by secret police. Despite the chaos, González remains committed to building a country of prosperity, democracy, and peace if he were to win the election. The situation in Venezuela remains tense and uncertain as the inauguration of the next president approaches on January 10th.
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