Edmundo González, the self-exiled Venezuelan opposition leader, has stepped up his efforts to garner international backing for his victory claim against Nicolas Maduro in July's presidential election.
Speaking in Panama on Wednesday, days before Maduro's scheduled inauguration, González presented what he said were the original electoral tally sheets that purportedly show he won a decisive victory in the disputed vote.
Accompanied by a group of former Latin American leaders, González met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino at the presidential palace, where he unveiled the documents.
He has already met with U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders in Argentina and Uruguay in an effort to drum up support.
Why it Matters
Gonzalez's claims have resonated across the region, though they are opposed by Maduro's government.
The meeting in Panama marks another chapter in González's high-profile diplomatic push since leaving exile in Madrid.
However, he has not revealed how he plans to accomplish his goal.
Maduro's government has ordered his arrest and his party controls every key institution, including the military.
Why is Gonzalez Disputing Venezuela's Election Results?
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has previously maintained cordial relations with Maduro, announced on Wednesday that he would not attend Maduro's inauguration.
His decision follows the recent arrest of a human-rights activist in Venezuela.
Petro's pivot away from Maduro provides Venezuela's opposition with a rare show of support in the face of mounting obstacles.
What to Know
González's tour also included stops in the Dominican Republic and will culminate in a controversial return to Venezuela, where he intends to assume the presidency on Friday.
The opposition has repeatedly decried the July election as fraudulent, pointing to widespread reports of electoral irregularities and government repression.
However, its momentum has been severely hampered by Maduro's postelection crackdown, which has seen hundreds of activists, opposition figures, and critics arrested.
González Says Son-in-Law Kidnapped
González himself claimed on Tuesday that his son-in-law had been kidnapped.
Despite these setbacks, the opposition has clung to the belief that the election results, if made public, would prove González's landslide victory.
It says it obtained the results through a massive grassroots effort that involved monitoring polling stations across the country.
The Venezuelan electoral authority, however, has not released official ballot tallies, a move that has fueled accusations of a cover-up.
Why Does Panama Support González?
Panama, which was one of the first countries to call for a full review of the Venezuelan election results, has been outspoken in its support for the opposition.
Panamanian President Mulino, who has suspended diplomatic relations with Caracas over the disputed election, reaffirmed his country's position on Wednesday.
What People Are Saying
Venezuelan opposition leader, Edmundo Gonzalez said: "Venezuela is facing a critical situation because the regime insists on clinging to power despite having been widely defeated in the elections. These elections were openly stolen."
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said in a statement via the social media platform X: "We cannot recognize elections that were not free."
Panamanian President Mulino, who has suspended diplomatic relations with Caracas over the disputed election, told Gonzalez during a meeting: "We want to make it clear to you that Panama is with you and with the legitimacy you represent."
What Happens Now
Edmundo Gonzalez's return to Venezuela is fraught with uncertainty, with questions looming over how he will assert control in a country where Maduro's forces remain entrenched.
As Maduro's inauguration approaches, the political standoff between the opposition and the regime seems poised to escalate.
With the Venezuelan crisis far from resolution, González's return to Venezuela, and his assertion of victory, sets the stage for a potentially dramatic clash over the country's future—one that will unfold against the backdrop of regional and international power struggles.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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