Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced a $100,000 reward for information on opposition candidate Edmundo González, who claims to have won the 2022 presidential election. The offer comes as the country’s next presidential term is set to begin on January 10th.
González left Venezuela in September and is currently living in exile in Spain. He was investigated by a judge over allegations linked to the July 28th election, which Maduro claimed he won with 80% of the vote. However, the opposition disputed these results, claiming González received twice as many votes.
The Venezuelan government refused to provide detailed vote counts and instead asked the high court to audit the results. The court ultimately upheld Maduro’s victory, but this has not stopped González from seeking asylum in Spain. He plans to return to Venezuela by January 10th but has not explained how he intends to do so or what his plans are upon arrival.
Maduro’s allies reportedly coerced González into signing a letter recognizing his defeat in the July election, leading to his exile. The reward for information on González’s whereabouts is part of an effort to capture him and prevent him from challenging Maduro’s victory.
Source: https://www.newser.com/story/361897/venezuela-puts-up-reward-for-rival-candidates-location.html