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VENEZUELA-Maduro Risks Escalating Protests w/Gonzalez Arrest Warrant

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The issuance of an arrest warrant for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez on 2 September risks inflaming an already tense political situation in Venezuela. The BBC reports that Gonzalez "is accused of "serious crimes" including the "usurpation" of public duties, document falsification, instigation of disobedience and system sabotage," It adds, "No sooner was the petition received from Venezuela’s public prosecutor’s office than Judge Edward Briceño, who rules on terrorism-related crimes in Venezuela, granted the request and the arrest warrant against Mr González was issued."

  • The Venezuelan public prosecutor's office and judiciary are seen as being in the pocket of the Maduro gov't, which dominates all state legal institutions, limiting any prospect of fair trials for those opposition figures detained. Gonzalez has not been seen in public since two days after the 28 July presidential election and he is believed to be in hiding.
  • The arrest warrant came hours after the US seizeda private jet linked to Maduro. US Attorney General Merrick Garland claimed that the jet was purchased in violation of US sanctions.
  • Maduro is facing increasing pressure from regional leaders, including the leftist presidents of Brazil and Colombia who may usually be inclined to side with the Venezuelan gov't, to hold a re-run of the election. The US, EU, and opposition go further and argue that Gonzalez is the rightful winner.
  • At present, protests appear not to have reached a critical mass that could lead to the gov'ts ouster. Nevertheless, seeking the arrest of Gonzalez raises the political temperature further.
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The issuance of an arrest warrant for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez on 2 September risks inflaming an already tense political situation in Venezuela. The BBC reports that Gonzalez "is accused of "serious crimes" including the "usurpation" of public duties, document falsification, instigation of disobedience and system sabotage," It adds, "No sooner was the petition received from Venezuela’s public prosecutor’s office than Judge Edward Briceño, who rules on terrorism-related crimes in Venezuela, granted the request and the arrest warrant against Mr González was issued."

  • The Venezuelan public prosecutor's office and judiciary are seen as being in the pocket of the Maduro gov't, which dominates all state legal institutions, limiting any prospect of fair trials for those opposition figures detained. Gonzalez has not been seen in public since two days after the 28 July presidential election and he is believed to be in hiding.
  • The arrest warrant came hours after the US seizeda private jet linked to Maduro. US Attorney General Merrick Garland claimed that the jet was purchased in violation of US sanctions.
  • Maduro is facing increasing pressure from regional leaders, including the leftist presidents of Brazil and Colombia who may usually be inclined to side with the Venezuelan gov't, to hold a re-run of the election. The US, EU, and opposition go further and argue that Gonzalez is the rightful winner.
  • At present, protests appear not to have reached a critical mass that could lead to the gov'ts ouster. Nevertheless, seeking the arrest of Gonzalez raises the political temperature further.