Venezuela: Arrest Warrant Issued for Opposition Candidate
Venezuela: Arrest warrantWarrant issuedIssued for VenezuelaOpposition opposition candidateCandidate
The Facts
On Monday, a Venezuelan judge issued an arrest order for former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who claims victory in the July disputed election against Nicolas Maduro. The arrest warrant was issued after three missed electoral conspiracy and document forgery court appearances.On Monday, a Venezuelan judge issued an arrest order for former presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, who claims victory in the July disputed election against Nicolás Maduro. The arrest warrant was issued after three missed court appearances.
The public prosecutor's office, loyal to President Nicolás Maduro, requested the arrest warrant against Mr. Gonzalez, which Judge Edward Briceño issued. "No one in this country is above the laws, above the institutions," Maduro stated Monday on his weekly television show.Judge Edward Briceño issued the public prosecutor's office requested warrant against González, who stands accused of falsifying documents, inciting "disobedience," and the "usurpation" of public duties, among others. González denies the allegations.
The Spin
FollowingThis thelatest Julydevelopment 28is presidentialfurther election,evidence of the Maduro governmentregime's has intensified its crackdown on the opposition, arrestingwhich has seen it unfairly arrest thousands. OnIn Monday,an theattempt politicalto crisismaintain inhis Venezuelagrip tookon apower, dramaticMaduro turnstole whenthe itelection cameand tois lightnow thatusing the public prosecutor's office, which is loyal to Presidentcover Nicoláshis Maduro, had requested Gonzalez's arrest for alleged criminal association and conspiracytracks. Both of these offenses can result in long prison sentences. One would expect such behavior from a thug like Maduro.
GonzalezGonzález and his co-conspirator, oppositionMachado, leaderrefused Mariato Corinaconcede Machado,defeat and likely fabricated public election documents, and committed acts of sabotage,. andThis havewarrant connectionsisn't tothe organizedresult crimeof andsome terrorismMaduro financing.conspiracy Thebut authoritiessimply wanted to question Gonzalez's infailure relation to these crimes. Failing to appear in court three times resulted in a warrant for his arrest. The authorities aim to prosecute him and send him to prison for his complicity in these crimes. Everyone has to follow the law, even leaders of the opposition.