A Venezuelan court has issued an arrest warrant for Edmundo González Urrutia, a former presidential candidate who the opposition claims won the recent elections on July 28 with 67% of the vote. This announcement directly contradicts the National Electoral Council’s (CNE) statement declaring incumbent Nicolás Maduro as the victor with 52% support, a result later validated by the Supreme Court at Maduro’s request.
The arrest warrant was requested by the pro-government Attorney General’s Office, which accused González Urrutia of ignoring three summons to provide evidence in an investigation involving multiple charges, including usurpation of functions, document falsification, and conspiracy.
González Urrutia had previously expressed concerns about attending the Electoral Hall, citing fears for his safety and the broader implications for the public’s will as demonstrated in the recent elections. He claimed that the Electoral Authority failed to properly account for the votes, which was a major point of contention as the opposition alleges fraud in the election process.
The opposition has published approximately 83% of the voting minutes, asserting that these documents would support González Urrutia’s claim of a decisive victory, even if Maduro obtained all remaining votes. However, the Chavist government contends that these documents are forgeries, a claim that contradicts findings from organizations like The Carter Center.
Following the Supreme Court’s validation of the CNE’s results, González Urrutia was found in contempt for failing to attend court hearings. Attorney General Tarek William Saab has implicated him and opposition leader María Corina Machado in inciting violence during subsequent protests, which resulted in 27 deaths, nearly 200 injuries, and over 2,400 arrests. Saab’s office has also suggested that González Urrutia poses a flight risk and a potential threat to the investigation.