An arrest warrant issued against Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the opposition candidate who claims victory in Venezuela’s contested July presidential election, has sparked widespread international condemnation. The United States, European Union, and nine Latin American countries have criticized the move, viewing it as an attempt by President Nicolas Maduro’s government to suppress the opposition.
The Venezuelan public prosecutor’s office announced on August 26 that a court had approved the warrant for Gonzalez Urrutia, citing “serious crimes” related to his assertion that Maduro and his allies rigged the election. Since the July 28 polls, Gonzalez Urrutia has been in hiding and has ignored three summonses to appear before prosecutors.
U.S. diplomat for Latin America, Brian Nichols, took to social media to denounce the arrest warrant, stating, “Rather than recognizing his election loss and preparing for a peaceful transition in Venezuela, Maduro has now ordered the arrest of the democratic leader who defeated him overwhelmingly at the polls.” Similarly, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell rejected the warrant, stressing the need to respect the Venezuelan people’s will.
Nine Latin American countries—Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay—issued a joint statement condemning the warrant. The Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE), largely aligned with Maduro, had declared him reelected for a third six-year term, a result that the opposition and much of the international community dispute. The opposition claims to have polling station-level results showing that Gonzalez Urrutia won by a significant margin.
The charges against the 75-year-old former diplomat include “usurpation” of public functions, “forgery” of public documents, incitement to disobedience, sabotage, and “association” with organized crime and terrorism financiers. President Maduro, defending the warrant, stated, “No one in this country is above the laws or the institutions.”
The political crisis in Venezuela is deepening, with the opposition accusing Maduro’s government of repression and a lack of transparency. The European Union has refused to acknowledge Maduro’s re-election without verified voting results, and several Latin American nations have also withheld recognition.
The U.S. has recognized Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the election, citing overwhelming evidence of Maduro’s defeat. This recognition has led to significant protests across Venezuela, where Maduro’s administration has reportedly detained over 2,400 individuals since the election, creating what the UN describes as “a climate of fear.”
