International News: Criminal investigation launched into Venezuela’s Opposition leaders amid election controversy

Posted: Tuesday, August 6, 2024. 2:49 pm CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab has launched a criminal investigation into opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González for alleged “incitement to insurrection,” the BBC reports.

The probe follows their calls for security forces to support anti-government protests and ignore orders to suppress them.

The investigation comes amid heightened tensions after the government’s electoral authority declared President Nicolás Maduro the election winner without releasing detailed voting results. 

The opposition claims González won, presenting evidence from over 23,000 tally sheets showing he likely received more than twice as many votes as Maduro.

The opposition’s claim of a landslide victory contrasts with the official result, which reported Maduro winning 52% of the vote to González’s 43%. 

In response, Saab accused the opposition leaders of falsely declaring an election outcome and inciting law enforcement to defy the government. 

Both Opposition leaders have been in hiding since facing calls for their arrest.

The European Union has condemned the Venezuelan government’s actions, urging an end to the intimidation of opposition figures and calling for the release of political prisoners.

 

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