Amid mounting tensions in Venezuela, exiled oppositionist Edmundo González Urrutia has solicited recognition from the military of such a country as to his being their rightful Commander-in-Chief. Today, González posted a video message urging the armed forces to “end the rule” of President Nicolás Maduro, whom he calls a usurper, following an election he accuses him of winning in July.
Meanwhile, with Gonzalez already in the process of doing a diplomatic tour of Latin America and the United States, he contends that he has won that disputed presidential election, as Maduro is being set for a third assumption into the presidency on January 10, 2010, despite widespread skepticism in the international community regarding the validity of the elections. Just about a year into his third term, the U.S. openly recognized González as the president-elect.
A plea for military backing
In his social media address, González condemned Maduro for twisting the Venezuelan military’s principles and implored the armed forces to rally behind him after January 10. “Our National Armed Forces must guarantee sovereignty and respect the popular will. They have to act with honor, merit, and conscience,” he said.
However, Defense Minister for Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino López, dismissed González’s call and stated that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela (FANB) remain loyal to Maduro. “The FANB is a pristine institution, loyal to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and impervious to the mandates of foreign powers,” Padrino declared while on television with national coverage.
The call to the military to action should be on Gonzalez’s part, while the government continues to tighten up security across the country. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello made an announcement on Monday concerning more than 125 detentions made, including non-Venezuelans, for “destabilizing actions.” Some of the arrestees, according to Cabello, were linked to the opposition, but he did not present any evidence. He further warned against a “forceful” response to new destabilizing activities.
And, lastly, the government of Venezuela has made it clear that it intends to arrest González, when and if he returns to the country. The opposition leader has fled to Spain recently in September under charges leveled against him of terrorism and conspiracy, which he has called as politically driven or motivated.
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Diplomatic efforts and calls for protests
International tour by González to garner support for his presidency. Already met with the presidents of Argentina and Uruguay over the weekend and met on Monday with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House, where both heads of state emphasized the importance of democratic principles to ensure the peaceful transfer of power.
“The United States and the world will keep observing what happens in Venezuela,” González said after he met with U.S. officials, including President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz.
In Venezuela itself, the opposition leaders are getting ready to ramp up public demonstrations. María Corina Machado, another prominent opposition figure, has called for mobilization on January 9, one day before Maduro’s inauguration, with requirements that protesters wear clothing featuring the Venezuelan flag’s colors-yellow, blue, and red-and demand Maduro’s resignation.
“Maduro will not willingly resign,” Machado stated. “He will have to be thrown out by Venezuelans.” In the same breath, González called for widespread participation in protests all over Venezuela and abroad.
The appeals of the opposition leader and her internationalist activities could be interpreted as attempts to shore up his entitlement as president and to press Maduro to surrender power willingly. At the same time, since the military’s unconditional backing of Maduro remains, the arrest of alleged mercenaries” linked to the opposition, a peaceful resolution seems elusive.
Of course, with every January 10, the stand-off between Maduro and González gets tougher as it puts Venezuela on the edge of the continent. The days ahead will show if the country is pushed any closer towards democracy or deeper into political impasse.
