The Venezuelan opposition leader, Edmundo González Urrutia, has reported the abduction of his son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, in Caracas. González, who is on a tour across various Latin American countries and the United States before his anticipated return to Venezuela on Friday, January 10th, revealed this alarming incident.
According to a post by González on the social media platform X, Tudares was stopped by masked men dressed in black while he was driving his children to school in a gold SUV with the license plate AA54E2C. Tudares remains missing at this time.
Agustín Antonetti, a young Argentine activist closely following González's itinerary, shared that González had to urgently cancel his schedule in Washington due to his son-in-law's kidnapping. "He will be flying to Panama this afternoon to coordinate with several Latin American foreign ministers and former regional presidents. He will be officially welcomed by President José Raúl Mulino," Antonetti reported.
This event transpires amid escalating political tensions in Venezuela. González Urrutia, currently in exile because of an outstanding arrest warrant, has declared his intention to return to the nation on January 10th to claim the presidency, asserting his victory in the presidential elections held on July 28, 2024. The Nicolás Maduro administration has warned that he will be detained upon his arrival.
His planned return is expected to spark large-scale opposition rallies and a heightened military presence by Maduro's government. The international community is closely monitoring these developments, expressing growing concerns over human rights and political stability in Venezuela.
Key Questions About the Situation in Venezuela
What actions are being taken to locate Rafael Tudares?
Efforts to locate Rafael Tudares involve coordination with multiple Latin American foreign ministers and former presidents, as mentioned by Agustín Antonetti. However, specific details on the search operations have not been disclosed.
Why is Edmundo González Urrutia in exile?
Edmundo González Urrutia is in exile due to an arrest warrant issued against him by the Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro. The warrant is part of the political tensions and disputes concerning the legitimacy of the Venezuelan elections.