Venezuela launches criminal investigation into opposition leaders News
Confidencial, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Venezuela launches criminal investigation into opposition leaders

The Public Ministry of Venezuela will commence a criminal investigation against opposition leaders Edmundo González and María Corina Machado, the attorney general of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, announced on Monday.

The official communication by the Ministry accuses the two opposition leaders of usurpation of official functions, dissemination of false information to cause uneasiness, instigating disobedience of the norms, instigating an insurrection, associating to commit crimes, and conspiring.

The Ministry initiated the investigation following a message published by Edmundo González and María Corina Machado. The message was directed to both Venezuelan citizens and military and police officials, claiming Edmundo González’s victory against President Nicolás Maduro in the elections of July 28, 2024. The opposition maintains that they  “obtained 67 percent of the votes, while Nicolás Maduro gained 30 percent”. González also calls for the military and police personnel to ally with the opposition and Venezuelan people to support the results of the elections. The opposition further leaders acknowledge that “in all components of the National Armed Force, there is a decision not to repress citizens that claim their rights and victory in a pacific way”. Consequently, González calls for the military forces of Venezuela not to follow illegal orders and to recognize the popular sovereignty of the Venezuelan people. The communication ends by claiming the proclamation of Edmundo González as the elected president of the Republic of Venezuela.

Attorney general William Saab argues that Edmundo González’s claim of winning the elections is a “false announcement”, as Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) is the only organ legally qualified to announce an election winner. The CNE had already announced Nicolás Maduro’s victory, a decision which sparked international concern. William Saab also states Edmundo González and María Corina Machado incited functionaries and military personnel to disobey the law.

Among international reactions to the election results, the EU has recently made a joint statement calling for the CNE to release official voting records and demanded “ceasing all harassment of the opposition, including arbitrary detentions, repression, and violent rhetoric”. As rallies continue throughout Venezuela, the situation is expected to develop further.

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