Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Under Criminal Probe

The Venezuelan Attorney General's Office has initiated a criminal investigation against opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González following their public appeal to the military to cease repression of protesters. The letter, published on social media, urged the armed forces to respect the results of the disputed July 28 presidential election, which the opposition claims González won with 67% of the vote, contrary to the official announcement of Nicolás Maduro's 51% victory. In their letter, Machado and González called on military and police personnel to align with the Venezuelan people and their families against the Maduro regime's human rights violations. They accused the government of staging a coup and urged the immediate recognition of González as the legitimate president. The Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, responded by accusing them of various crimes, including usurpation of functions and incitement to insurrection, asserting that only the National Electoral Council has the authority to declare election results. The investigation comes amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud, with the opposition claiming to have gathered evidence showing that Maduro's victory was fabricated. The European Union has also indicated that the opposition's tallies suggest González won by a significant margin. The political climate remains tense, with reports of violence following the election, resulting in at least 11 deaths, as the opposition continues to challenge the legitimacy of Maduro's government. Both Machado and González are currently in hiding, fearing arrest or worse, as they continue to advocate for the rights of Venezuelans and the integrity of the electoral process.