LIVE | Situation in Venezuela three days before the presidential inauguration

Venezuela’s embattled opposition vowed to overcome “fear” and thwart plans for Nicolas Maduro to be sworn in for a new mandate. The Chavista regime, meanwhile, has reinforced security in Caracas to guarantee the inauguration of its leader this January 10.

(Also read: Maduro regime “is so scared that it is not going to let Edmundo González in”: Pastrana)

“This morning my son-in-law was kidnapped Rafael Tudares“González Urrutia wrote on the X network from Washington, where the day before he was received by President Joe Biden. “Rafael I was heading to my grandchildren’s school When he left them for the start of classes, hooded men dressed in black intercepted him, put him in a gold-colored truck (…), and took him away. At this time he is missing.”

“We were taking away from Maduro the pillars on which he stood,” said the opposition leader. He said that they have advanced “without weapons, because they are the violent ones,” referring to Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

“It has been an almost miraculous effort to have obtained in record time more than 85% of the minutes that have undergone all types of verification (…) the military knows that,” he stated in his speech.

According to the report, the regime set out to “hinder the development of a free, fair, competitive and transparent electoral contest, and sow terror among citizens. All of this, with the purpose of perpetuating itself in power.”

“Anticipating electoral fraud, the opposition collected 83.5% of the minutes at the national level, maintaining their authenticity by having the corresponding seals, signatures and security codes. The totalization of these minutes shows that Edmundo González Urrutia won the election “, he points out, emphasizing that after election day “violence increased.”

“This measure responds to the evolution of events since the presidential elections of July 28, 2024 in Venezuela, after which Nicolás Maduro has assured that he will continue to be the President of that country from January 10, as a result of the electoral fraud perpetrated by his regime,” says the statement from the Government of Chile.

“After the Chilean diplomatic staff was expelled from Caracas last August, the lack of openness has increased, which, together with the worsening of the crisis that has emerged, has prevented the development of an effective bilateral dialogue,” he adds.

“Listen to me well, Maduro: Your lies are not going to save you. Accusing Nahuel Gallo of a ridiculous plot without evidence only exposes the desperation of your murderous regime, which is coming to an end. There are no words to respond to the delirium of a murderer of his own people. Argentina is not going to tolerate this abuse any longer. FREE NAHUEL NOW!”, published the Minister of Security of Argentina, Patricia Bullrich, on her X account, referring to the gendarme detained in the neighboring country.

Maduro, in an event with civil, police and military authorities, pointed out this Monday that due to these “terrorist activities” 125 foreign “mercenaries” were detained, a group of people who, he indicated, left “from South America with specific plans.” to try to attack the life of the vice president and assured that the Government of Javier Milei is “directly” involved.

(Also read: Maduro links Argentina in an alleged plan to attack the vice president of Venezuela)

During the “fruitful conversation” with Edmundo Gonzalezin which the anti-Chavista leader María Corina Machado also participated, Dina Boluarte reaffirmed Peru’s commitment to democracy in Venezuela, added the Peruvian Presidency on the X social network.

After recognizing “his leadership, courage and bravery in all his actions deployed internationally in favor of democracy in Venezuela,” the president highlighted the actions of González Urrutia “to promote the protection of human rights and respect for freedoms of Venezuelan citizens.” “Likewise, he reiterated that the timely invitation extended to visit Peru remains and that a mutually convenient date will be coordinated,” the Presidency stated.

“Forgive me that I should not say this as a minister, but that is pure nonsense,” said the Venezuelan Minister of the Interior during a press conference in which he assured that the country “is at peace” and prepared for the swearing-in for a third term. consecutive victory of Nicolás Maduro, whose victory has been denounced as a “fraud” by the opposition and has not been recognized by much of the international community.

In the opinion of Cabello“it takes courage” and “willingness, but he noted that Gonzalez Urrutiawho has remained in exile in Spain since last September, “has neither courage nor disposition.”

Likewise, he criticized the tour that González Urrutia began on Saturday through several countries, in search of international support for his announced return to Venezuelan territory to attend his inauguration as president. “Where did this gentleman go? To Argentina? Are we surprised? No. Argentina is the Government of fascism, fascism is ruling there,” said the head of the Interior, who also referred to the opposition’s visits to the leaders of USA, Joe Biden, and Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, as the meetings between “those who leave and those who do not go.”

(Also read: Nicolás Maduro regime condemns Joe Biden’s support for Edmundo González: “Grotesque”)