The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced a $100,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of exiled opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. This comes eight days before Maduro is set to be sworn in for a third term, following a contested presidential election in July.
Gonzalez, who was declared the winner by his supporters but not officially recognized by the government, left Venezuela after receiving an arrest warrant. He had previously said he would return at the beginning of the new presidential term but now appears to be en route to Buenos Aires.
Maduro’s government claims he won the election but refuses to release voter data, fueling opposition claims of election fraud. Human rights groups and international organizations have criticized the Maduro government for repressive activities, including arbitrary arrests and torture.
As the inauguration ceremony approaches on January 10, a group of UN human rights experts called on Venezuelan authorities to respect civil liberties, including the right to protest. The US has also urged the Venezuelan government to release Gonzalez, who was declared the winner by his supporters.
The ongoing controversy over the election has strained relations with Argentina, which severed diplomatic ties with Venezuela last year. Brazil, which is hosting a UN human rights office, has agreed to serve as custodian for Argentina’s embassy in Caracas, where several opposition leaders have sought shelter.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/2/maduro-government-offers-reward-for-location-of-exiled-opposition-candidate