The Minister of the Interior and Justice of Nicolás Maduro, Diosdado Cabello, launched a new threat this Wednesday against opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, who is exiled in Spain.
During his program “Con el Mazo Dando,” Cabello presented a poster with a “gift” for González Urrutia, in the form of handcuffs inside a glass box, accompanied by a message that said: “On the twenty-third anniversary of the CICPC, our gift for Edmundo González Urrutia.”
This act of intimidation was complemented by an aggressive speech in which Cabello stated: “I’m going to give it to him like this, nicely. I’ll take them (the handcuffs) out and hand him the box. The only thing is that the comrades of the CICPC will have to fight with a bunch of people. Whoever catches him is his.”
In the same program, Cabello went further by claiming that there is “not a single possibility” that González Urrutia would return to Venezuela on January 10th, the date on which the swearing-in of the elected president was scheduled according to the Venezuelan Constitution.
“There is not a single possibility that Edmundo González will come to Venezuela to swear in,” he assured, while defending that Nicolás Maduro will take office again, with the support of a National Assembly dominated by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
Fraud Allegations and Opposition Claims
Edmundo González Urrutia, who was the candidate of the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), has consistently denounced the electoral fraud that he claims occurred during the July 28 elections, in which Maduro was proclaimed the winner by the National Electoral Council (CNE).
In every record is the spirit of change of all Venezuelans.
Demanding, on the streets of Venezuela, that the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people be recognized is a right recognized by all countries.
Glory to the brave people! pic.twitter.com/qdfMX5SAy8
— Edmundo González (@EdmundoGU) January 9, 2025
The opposition candidate continues to defend that he won the elections and, therefore, should assume the presidency. In a recent interview with EFE, González Urrutia stated that he is “morally prepared” for a possible arrest if he decides to return to Venezuela. Despite the regime’s threats, he has stated that he is willing to take office “even if this means arrest.”
Growing Tensions
The Maduro government, represented by figures like Cabello, shows no signs of loosening its control over the country, while the opposition continues to denounce the lack of transparency and the undemocratic nature of the electoral process. Tensions between the opposition and the government increase as the presidential swearing-in approaches.
Any attempt by the opposition to challenge the decisions of the current government is interpreted as an act of subversion, and it is met with threats of persecution and repression.
U.S. Sanctions
The recent announcement of sanctions imposed by the United States on the Venezuelan government does not seem to affect Cabello’s rhetoric or that of his allies. Cabello rejected the sanctions, stating that they do not “scare” the regime but, on the contrary, “strengthen” it.
The sanctions, which target several high-ranking regime officials, focus on accusations of political repression and electoral fraud. Despite these sanctions, Maduro has announced that he will award decorations to those sanctioned, reaffirming his control over the power structures in Venezuela.
#VictoriaPopularPorLaPaz
🔥‼️ Important ‼️🔥President Maduro awards decorations to government members sanctioned by the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and the EU #11Enehttps://t.co/h3ex5SW9As
— Con el Mazo Dando (@ConElMazoDando) January 12, 2025
Opposition Determination
While the Democratic Unitary Platform continues to insist that González Urrutia is the true winner of the elections, Maduro’s current government continues to use intimidation and repression tactics to maintain control over the country.
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