Venezuela launches investigation into opposition leaders Gonzalez and Machado | Election news

The opposition leader and presidential candidate is facing an investigation over his appeal to the army and police to “stand with the people.”

In Venezuela, a criminal investigation has been opened against the opposition candidate in the presidential election, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, and his leader, Maria Corina Machado, for declaring an election winner other than President Nicolas Maduro, as well as for inciting disobedience and insurrection.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the investigation on Monday after two opposition members hours earlier submitted a written appeal to the army and police over Maduro and the demonstrators who turned out in droves to defend their votes in the July 28 election.

Saab, in a written statement posted on X, said the duo “falsely declared a different winner of the presidential election than the one declared by the National Electoral Council, the only body authorized to do so” and openly encouraged “police and military officials to break the law.”

Under public pressure to release detailed precinct-level records supporting its claim that Maduro won, the National Electoral Council said Monday it had submitted all those records to the Supreme Court for certification, as requested by the president — but not publicly.

The opposition maintains that Gonzalez Urrutia was the rightful winner of last month’s elections that plunged the oil-rich country into political crisis.

Many countries, including the United States and Argentina, have recognised Gonzalez Urrutia as the winner, while others, such as the European Union, have chosen not to do so, demanding full publication of the voting results.

The disputed election sparked protests last week that left at least 11 civilians dead, according to rights groups.

“We appeal to the conscience of soldiers and policemen to stand with the people and their own families,” said the opposition statement, which offered “guarantees to those who fulfill their constitutional duty” in a possible “new government.”

The statement, which Gonzalez Urrutia signed as “president-elect,” also calls on security forces to end “repression” of opposition protests.

The government reported the death of two soldiers in the clashes.

The opposition statement said top commanders “allied with Maduro and his nefarious interests, while you are represented by the people who went to vote… whose will was expressed on July 28, and you know it.”

A call for dialogue

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday called for dialogue between the Venezuelan government and the opposition to resolve the electoral dispute.

“Our commitment to peace leads us to call on the parties to dialogue and promote understanding between the government and the opposition,” Lula said during a state visit to Chile, where he met with President Gabriel Boric.

Lula, a Maduro ally engaged in a delicate diplomatic game, called on his Venezuelan counterpart to publish the voting results to resolve the dispute.