Opposition Leaders in Venezuela Under Criminal Investigation for Urging Army to Support the People

August 6, 2024 TruthUSA

Venezuela’s Public Ministry has initiated a criminal investigation into opposition leaders for urging police and military officials to disobey the laws.

The investigation stems from an August 5 letter by opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and leader Maria Corina Machado, calling on the armed forces to cease suppressing protesters and honor the voice of the people.

An official statement by the ministry on Monday accused the pair of inciting law enforcement and military officials to disobey regulations and falsely proclaiming a victor in the presidential election, emphasizing that only the National Electoral Council has the authority to do so.

The investigation into Gonzalez and Machado will center on charges of usurpation of functions, dissemination of false information leading to distress, instigation to disobey laws, incitement to insurrection, collusion to commit crimes, and conspiracy.

In their letter, the opposition leaders alleged that tallied votes indicated Gonzalez secured a clear win with 67% of the votes, while President Nicolas Maduro received 30%.

“We urge the military and police to side with the people and their families,” the letter stated.

They alleged that Maduro executed “a coup d’etat” and sought to involve the military as “accomplices.” The opposition affirmed that those upholding their constitutional obligations will be safeguarded in the newly elected government.

Maduro Pledges No Mercy

Protests broke out in various Venezuelan cities after the electoral authority announced Maduro as the winner with 51% of the vote, stating that Gonzalez received 44%.

Machado, barred from the presidential race, participated in an opposition rally on August 3 to rally Venezuelans to champion election integrity.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, greets supporters during 'Ganó Venezuela' opposition protest on Aug. 3, 2024 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images) — Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, greets supporters during ‘Ganó Venezuela’ opposition protest on Aug. 3, 2024 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

On August 3, Maduro stated that 2,000 civilian arrests had been made and condemned those challenging his government.

“This time, there will be no mercy,” he declared during a rally with his supporters in Caracas, Venezuela. “We have 2,000 prisoners apprehended, and they will head to Tocorón and Tocuyito [prisons] for maximum punishment, justice.”

Several nations, including the United States, Chile, Italy, Peru, and the European Union, have expressed concerns about the legitimacy of Venezuela’s election outcomes.

EU high representative Josep Borrell remarked that copies of the electoral vote results released by the opposition, examined by independent organizations, suggest that Gonzalez “appears to have won the Presidential elections by a significant margin.”

“Without evidence to substantiate them, the results unveiled on 2nd August by the [National Electoral Council of Venezuela] cannot be acknowledged,” Borrell mentioned in a statement.

He added, “Any attempt to delay the full disclosure of the official voting records will only raise further doubts about the credibility of the officially declared results.”

Borrell also appealed to Venezuelan authorities to “cease arbitrary detentions, repression, and violent speeches against opposition members and civil society, and release all political detainees.”

Autumn Spredemann contributed to this report.

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