The President of Venezuela, Mr. Nicolas Maduro has announced a $100,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of exiled opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
This announcement comes eight days before Maduro is set to be sworn in for a third term, following a contested presidential election in July.
In the months since the vote, Maduro’s government has issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, his rival in the race.
“A $100,000 reward is offered to anyone who provides information about his location,” the country’s Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations Agency said in an Instagram post on Thursday.
The post framed a photo of Gonzalez in the style of a “wanted” poster.
Maduro’s government has claimed the president prevailed in his re-election bid but refused to release the usual breakdown of voter tallies that accompany elections.
The opposition, meanwhile, accused Maduro of election fraud and said that Gonzalez was the rightful winner.
The release included election tally sheets, which revealed Gonzalez defeating Maduro by a margin of two to one.
Regional leaders challenged Maduro’s victory claims, urging the government to disclose voter data that would validate the results.
The government has not complied, prompting Gonzalez to flee to Spain following the September arrest warrant.
He previously stated he would return at the start of the new presidential term as Argentina confirmed his arrival in Buenos Aires.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations condemned Maduro’s regime for its repressive actions, including arbitrary arrests and torture.
Following the elections, authorities arrested nearly 2,000 people, taking swift action amidst growing unrest and protests.
Tragically, 23 individuals lost their lives during the upheaval.
As Maduro’s third inauguration ceremony approaches on January 10, UN human rights experts urged Venezuelan authorities to uphold civil liberties.
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They specifically emphasized the importance of protecting the right to protest during this critical time.
Marta Valinas, the group’s president, urged authorities to uphold the rights to demonstrate and express oneself freely.
She emphasized the need for protection against potential reprisals.
Maduro has become increasingly isolated following the contested election and a harsh police crackdown on opposition-led protests.
Even left-wing allies in Brazil and Colombia have pushed for his government to release transparent results.
The ongoing controversy over the election has also strained relations with Argentina, which has since severed diplomatic ties with Venezuela.
Brazil will act as the custodian of Argentina’s embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, despite lacking formal diplomatic ties.
Many opposition leaders have found refuge at this embassy as tensions rise within the country.
Argentina has repeatedly accused Venezuela of harassing those inside the embassy walls.
On Thursday, President Javier Milei’s far-right government submitted a complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
They accused the Venezuelan government of committing the crime of “enforced disappearance” regarding the December arrest of an Argentinian security member.
The Argentinian government states that Nahuel Gallo, a member of its gendarmerie, crossed into Venezuela to see family members.
Venezuelan prosecutors say they are investigating him for possible links to groups seeking to carry out “terrorist” actions in the country.
