” Research. Capture order. Reward: $100,000. » L’poster published on social networks by the Venezuelan police, Thursday January 2, with a photo of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia sets the tone.
The Venezuelan opponent, exiled in Spain since September 2024, who claims victory in the July 28 election against Nicolas Maduro, is not welcome in his country, even though he promised to return there to “take office” on January 10 in place of the outgoing president.
However, Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia must arrive in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, a source within the Argentine presidency told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday, without giving further details, shortly after the announcement was made. by Caracas promising a reward of 100,000 dollars (approximately 97,000 euros) for any information leading to the capture of the opponent.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Renewed tension between Venezuela and the United States
Read later
The poster will be put up in airports and police checkpoints across the country, judicial sources told AFP.
“A puppet”
The proclamation of the re-election of Nicolas Maduro for a third six-year term was strongly contested by the opposition, which considers that Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia is the winner, with more than 67% of the votes. The former diplomat and leader of the Venezuelan opposition, Maria Corina Machado, who lives in hiding, called on Tuesday for their fellow citizens to demonstrate, while President Nicolas Maduro is due to be sworn in on January 10 for a third term.
“Let us make the commitment together that my mandate will begin in 2025”declared Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia, exiled in Spain following the arrest warrant issued against him.
Read also | Venezuela: opening of an investigation against opponent Maria Corina Machado for “treason” and “conspiracy”
Read later
The United States, the European Union and many Latin American countries do not recognize the re-election of Mr. Maduro, elected since 2013 after contested elections. Mr. Maduro, who believes that the accusations of electoral fraud are part of a plan to carry out a “coup d’état” in the country, is supported by the army.
“On January 10, 2025, we will take to the streets by the millions to take an oath for Venezuela”we can hear in a video that the president published Thursday on Instagram, showing images of a speech given in December 2024 at the gates of the presidential palace in Caracas. “The people’s house will never fall into the hands of a puppet”also indicates a message which accompanies the publication, in reference to Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia.
Strained relations between Caracas and Buenos Aires
The proclamation of Mr. Maduro's victory led to protests and clashes with the police, leaving 28 dead and nearly 200 injured. More than 2,400 people were arrested during the unrest following the election, on charges including terrorism and inciting hatred. Nearly 1,400 of them were released on parole, according to authorities.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro releases dozens of incarcerated detainees after his re-election
Read later
The expected arrival of the Venezuelan opponent should further strain relations at their lowest point between Caracas and Buenos Aires. On Thursday, Argentina announced that it had filed a complaint against Venezuela before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for “arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance” of an Argentine gendarme, Nahuel Gallo, detained by Caracas which accuses him of “terrorism”.
The Memorable World
Test your general knowledge with the editorial staff of “Le Monde”
Test your general knowledge with the editorial staff of “Le Monde”
Discover
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed by Venezuela after Argentine President Javier Milei questioned Mr Maduro's re-election. Security at the Argentine embassy in Caracas has since been provided by Brazil. In March, six collaborators of Venezuelan opposition leader Mme Corina Machado, accused of “terrorism”took refuge in the diplomatic representation. Five of them are still there.
