"Criminal investigations against opponents in Venezuela stir the country's political crisis."

The recent decision by the Venezuelan Prosecutor's Office to open a criminal investigation against opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia has sparked a debate regarding the legitimacy of the actions of Nicolás Maduro's government and the political situation in the country. Both opposition figures have urged the armed forces and police to disobey government orders to repress their followers, which has led authorities to accuse them of various crimes, including conspiracy and usurpation of functions. The letter signed by González and Machado is a call to the conscience of military and police forces to align themselves with the people. In their statement, they express their dissatisfaction with the handling of the presidential elections, claiming to have reviewed over 80% of the ballots and obtained results that contradict Maduro's declaration as the winner. This act of defiance has been interpreted by the government as incitement to insurrection, prompting the Prosecutor's Office to act accordingly. Attorney General Tarek William Saab has described the opposition's letter as "irregular" and argued that only the National Electoral Council (CNE) has the authority to declare a winner in elections. However, the CNE has yet to publish the records supporting Maduro's victory, raising questions about the transparency of the electoral process and fueling accusations of fraud from the opposition. The political landscape becomes even more complicated when considering the systematic repression faced by other opposition leaders in Venezuela. Historically, figures like Leopoldo López and Antonio Ledezma have been arrested under similar accusations, raising concerns that the government's strategy may not only target González and Machado but also seek to intimidate the entire opposition. Political analyst Andrés Cañizález suggests that the prosecutor's strategy may not be an immediate attempt to imprison the opposition figures, but rather to restrict their movements and create an atmosphere of intimidation. This has been seen before with other leaders, who have been prevented from leaving the country under the pressure of judicial investigations. The situation of María Corina Machado, who already faces travel restrictions, is a clear example of this tactic. The response from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces has been strong, reaffirming their loyalty to Maduro's government and dismissing the opposition's calls as "desperate." This division between the opposition and the armed forces poses a dilemma regarding the future of governance in Venezuela and the possibility of dialogue, which, although requested by neighboring countries, seems increasingly distant. Carmen Beatriz Fernández, an expert in political communication, warns that the radicalization of Maduro's government could lead to a more violent and repressive scenario. The lack of clear recognition of electoral results and the path toward electoral fraud could result in an outcome detrimental to both the opposition and the stability of the country. The international community has been closely monitoring the situation, and it is evident that the recognition of Edmundo González as the elected president by several countries adds a level of pressure on Maduro's government. However, the fear of repressive actions against opposition leaders could deter more decisive international intervention. As the situation unfolds, it is essential to understand that the actions of the Prosecutor's Office must be viewed in a broader context of the struggle for power in Venezuela. The lack of genuine dialogue and the escalation of tensions between the government and the opposition only increase the risk of internal conflict that could have devastating consequences for the Venezuelan population. Meanwhile, uncertainty regarding the future of María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia persists, with the possibility of arrests looming over their movements. The recent history of the opposition in Venezuela suggests that repression may be a tool frequently used by the government, raising the question of whether the international community will be willing to act in response to potential human rights violations. Ultimately, the outcome of this crisis will depend on the resilience of the opposition and the support it can garner, both nationally and internationally.