Venezuela Offers $100,000 Reward for Capture of Opposition Leader Edmundo González Urrutia

VEVenezuela|

Venezuelan authorities have placed a $100,000 bounty on the head of Edmundo González Urrutia, an opposition candidate who fled to Spain amid political turmoil following the disputed July elections. The former diplomat, who insists he won against President Nicolás Maduro, is wanted for alleged conspiracy and racketeering.

Police have circulated a “wanted” poster featuring González, who plans to return to Venezuela for his presidential inauguration on January 10, despite the government's claim that Maduro secured a third term in office. Following the election, which the opposition contests as fraudulent, widespread protests erupted, resulting in 28 deaths, hundreds injured, and numerous arrests.

González was granted asylum in Spain on December 20, as the Venezuelan government faced intense domestic and international pressure to disclose the election's results. While Maduro's government remains largely unrecognized, the United States and the European Parliament have endorsed González's claim as "president-elect."

Judicial officials confirmed that the wanted posters are to be displayed at airports and police checkpoints throughout Venezuela as authorities intensify their search for the exiled leader.

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