“Mr. Nicolás Maduro, I call on you to stop the violence”: Edmundo González

In a forceful statement published on the social network X, Edmundo González has called on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to stop the violence and persecution, demanding the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained. The message, which has been widely shared, denounces repression and violations of human rights in Venezuela.

Statement by Edmundo Gonzalez

Edmundo González, a well-known activist and human rights defender, has made a strong appeal to Nicolás Maduro through a video on the social network X. In his message, González declared:

“Mr. Nicolas Maduro, I call on you on behalf of all Venezuelans to stop the violence and persecution and to immediately release all compatriots arbitrarily detained. Demanding compliance with our constitution is not a crime.”

González stresses that peaceful protest and fulfilling the duties of an electoral witness should not be considered crimes. In his message, he emphasizes that: “Protesting peacefully to respect the will of millions of Venezuelans is not a crimeacting as an electoral witness, taking care of the minutes and making them public is not a crime. It is a crime not to accept the will of our people”.

Gonzalez denounces the repression and violence that the country faces, calling for an end to terror and abuse: “It is a crime to disappear, persecute, imprison and unjustly condemn hundreds of innocent citizens.. It is a crime to savagely repress peaceful protesters, enough of persecution and violence.”

He also calls for unity among Venezuelans and his followers: “Dear Venezuelans, I will continue to be at your side, defending the truth and the will to change in peace, long live free Venezuela and glory to the brave people.”.

International reactions

The situation in Venezuela has captured the attention of the international community. The Organization of American States (OAS) and Amnesty International have asked the International Criminal Court to take action. Luis Almagro, secretary general of the OAS, has declared: “It is time for justice,” announcing that he will ask the International Criminal Court to determine responsibility and issue arrest warrants against Maduro and other officials responsible for serious human rights violations.

Amnesty International has also called for the immediate release of all politically detained individuals, urging the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to take action.

Situation of detainees and accusations

President Nicolas Maduro reported that more than 2,200 people have been arrested since the July 28 protests, following allegations of electoral fraud. Maduro has described most of these detainees as “terrorists” and “criminals” seeking to destabilize the country.

Several governments and multilateral organizations, including Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and the United Nations, have asked the Venezuelan electoral authority to publish the breakdown of the vote and to conduct an independent audit. In response, the government has turned to the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice to resolve disputes over the electoral process and the minutes.

The situation remains tense and highly polarized.with the international community closely watching developments in Venezuela and the measures taken to address human rights violations and the political crisis in the country.