Former Venezuelan presidential candidate issued arrest warrant

CNN reports that Venezuelan authorities have issued an arrest warrant for former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. This comes as part of a crackdown on the country’s opposition movement following a disputed election in July.

The Venezuela Prosecutor’s Office has accused Gonzalez of crimes associated with terrorism and he has failed to respond to three summons regarding an investigation into an opposition website that posted results from the contested vote.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is also under investigation for similar alleged crimes. Machado stated that the threat of arrest would only serve to unite the opposition further.

Despite the electoral body declaring Maduro as the winner, skepticism remains about the official results. The opposition, including Gonzalez, claims victory based on tally sheets posted on a website. Experts consulted by CNN say the data indicates an opposition win.

The situation in Venezuela remains tense as the government intensifies its crackdown on opposition figures, leading to increased unity among dissenting voices.