Nine Latin American countries have joined in rejecting the arrest order issued by the Venezuelan Prosecutor's Office against candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, a rival to Nicolás Maduro in the elections held on July 28. González has denounced the electoral fraud committed by the dictator and the institutions allied with Chavismo.
Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay unequivocally rejected the arrest order issued against González Urrutia on Monday, according to a joint statement released by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The signatories condemned the decision, calling it "another attempt to silence Mr. González, disregard the popular will of the Venezuelan people," and labeling it as "political persecution."
International Condemnation Grows
"In a country where there is no separation of powers, no minimal judicial guarantees, and an abundance of arbitrary detentions, we condemn these dictatorial practices," they added.
Chile also joined the list of countries condemning this order, issuing a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We condemn the arrest warrant against opposition leader Edmundo González. This is yet another attack by the Venezuelan regime on the rule of law. We call for respect for democratic principles, human rights, and the fundamental freedoms of all Venezuelans," wrote Alberto van Klaveren, Chile's Foreign Minister, on X.
Brian A. Nichols, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, has also spoken out on the issue multiple times, stating, "Since the July 28 elections, the Venezuelan people have faced human rights abuses, arbitrary detentions, indiscriminate and unjust detentions, and intimidation," aligning with the calls from these Latin American countries and the European Union.
On Monday, Prosecutor Luis Ernesto Dueñez Reyes signed a document requesting an arrest warrant for former presidential candidate Edmundo González.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado commented on these accusations via X: "They have lost all sense of reality. Threatening the elected President only serves to unify us further and increase support from Venezuelans and the world for Edmundo González. Serenity, courage, and firmness. We move forward."
Machado recently thanked the Latin American countries for their joint statement, adding, "Maduro is sinking and isolating himself more each day. We are building more strength and consolidating support."
Key Questions About International Response to Venezuela's Political Crisis
Given the serious nature of the political turmoil in Venezuela, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide further clarity on the issue.
Why are Latin American countries condemning the arrest order against Edmundo González?
Latin American countries believe the arrest order is an attempt to silence political opposition and disregard the will of the Venezuelan people, labeling it as political persecution.
What did these countries say in their joint statement?
The joint statement condemned the arrest order, calling it another attempt to silence Edmundo González and disregard the Venezuelan people's will, while also highlighting the lack of judicial guarantees and arbitrary detentions in Venezuela.
How has the international community responded to the political crisis in Venezuela?
The international community, including the European Union and the United States, has condemned the human rights abuses, arbitrary detentions, and intimidation faced by the Venezuelan people since the July 28 elections.