Crisis in Venezuela: González Urrutia denounces political persecution by the regime.

Amid a growing political tension in Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia, a prominent opponent of Nicolás Maduro's regime, has urged the country's Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, to avoid what he considers a political "persecution." González, who has been in hiding since the end of July, is the subject of investigations accusing him of various crimes, including "disobedience of laws" and "usurpation of functions," following what he claims was a victory in the presidential elections in July, in which Maduro was declared re-elected. The situation has escalated in the context of a severe political crisis, where the opposition has denounced massive electoral fraud. González's demand to the Attorney General was communicated through his lawyer, who participated in a meeting with Saab. During this meeting, the lawyer, José Vicente Haro, presented a document justifying the reasons why his client has not appeared before the prosecutor's office on several occasions. However, access to the case file has been limited, raising further concerns about the transparency of the judicial process. González Urrutia has expressed his fear that his possible appearance before judicial authorities would only exacerbate the already tense social situation in the country. In his communication, he called for reflection on the judicialization of politics in Venezuela, noting that the accusations against him have been preceded by statements from high-ranking state officials who have condemned him without evidence. This aspect illustrates the polarization in the country, where government opponents feel they have no guarantees of a fair trial. On the other hand, the government has denied a supposed meeting between Maduro and the presidents of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico—Lula, Petro, and López Obrador, respectively—to discuss the post-electoral crisis in Venezuela. Diosdado Cabello, a high-ranking Chavista leader, denied the existence of such a meeting and accused opposition officials of spreading lies. This denial reinforces the perception that Maduro's regime is trying to manage the narrative regarding its legitimacy and the internal situation of the country in isolation. The repression of the opposition has also drawn international attention. The United States, which has expressed confidence in González Urrutia's victory in the elections, is considering "options" to pressure Maduro's regime, which has been subject to sanctions in the past. Tensions are further heightened by the detention of an American military personnel in Venezuela, whose situation remains officially unclear. Recent protests in response to Maduro's proclamation as the election winner have resulted in a tragic toll: at least 27 people dead, hundreds injured, and thousands detained. Human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, have reported systematic human rights violations in the country, creating an atmosphere of fear and repression among the population. In this context, the regime has launched direct accusations against González and Machado, holding them responsible for inciting violence during the protests. Maduro has demanded prison for both, reaffirming his confrontational policy against the opposition. This poses a new challenge for the international community, which observes the human rights situation in Venezuela with growing concern. Meanwhile, the opposition community faces a difficult dilemma: how to organize and mobilize in the face of a judicial system that appears to serve the government. The lack of adequate access to justice and the risk of retaliation are factors complicating the struggle for democracy in the country. The political situation in Venezuela remains at a critical point, and the actions of the regime, as well as the responses from the opposition and the international community, will be decisive in the coming months. The hope for a peaceful and democratic solution seems distant, as repression and fear continue to mark the daily lives of Venezuelans.