A Venezuelan judge issued an arrest warrant for opposition’s former presidential candidate Edmundo González in relation to a criminal investigation into the results of the July election, which both the ruling party and opposition claim to have won. Authorities accuse González of crimes like conspiracy and falsifying documents. González has not made public appearances since the election day and failed to appear before prosecutors, leading to the warrant.
Prosecutors focused on tally sheets known as actas, which are considered proof of election results. The ruling party declared Maduro the winner, but did not release detailed information due to a claimed website hack. The opposition obtained tally sheets from over 80% of voting machines showing González won by a wide margin. International pressure led Maduro to request an audit of the electoral process, with the Supreme Tribunal of Justice certifying Maduro’s victory.
González has criticized the prosecutor’s actions for lack of due process and rejected an interview summons. The opposition leader criticized Maduro for losing touch with reality and issued a statement about the arrest warrant. An analysis of the tally sheets by the Associated Press showed González received significantly more votes than the government claimed, casting doubt on Maduro’s victory.
In conclusion, the arrest warrant against González is part of a larger political controversy surrounding the election results in Venezuela, with the opposition claiming victory based on their analysis of the tally sheets. The situation remains tense as international pressure and domestic unrest continue.
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