Venezuela is facing a tense political moment as the country approaches the inauguration of its new president.
According to Venezuelan law, the newly elected president for the 2025-2031 term must take office on January 10, following the election held on July 28, 2024.
However, the situation remains uncertain as the National Electoral Council has declared incumbent President Nicolás Maduro the winner but failed to release the required vote tally to substantiate the results.
Meanwhile, opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia claims victory, presenting evidence that his campaign received 80% of the vote. His supporters argue that he is the legitimate winner.
International Recognition of González as President
Despite the local political turmoil, many countries have already recognized Edmundo González as Venezuela’s rightful president.
As the inauguration day draws closer, this international acknowledgment adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation in Venezuela.
The conflict over the election results continues to fuel tensions within the country and beyond its borders.
Archbishop’s Call for Respecting Human Rights Amid Political Tensions
In the midst of this political uncertainty, Caracas Archbishop Raúl Biord has called for a renewed focus on human and citizen rights.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 2025 Jubilee Year in Caracas on January 6, the archbishop urged political leaders to respect freedom of thought, expression, and social action.
He emphasized the need to put an end to intimidation and hatred from any side.
This plea from the religious leader is part of a larger message from the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, which has been advocating for the truth to prevail in the face of political manipulation and deceit.
Opposition Leaders Tour the World in Search of Support
In the days leading up to January 10, Edmundo González embarked on an international tour to gain support for his swearing-in as president.
Last Saturday, he met with Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, where Milei expressed his support for González as the elected president of Venezuela.
González also met with Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou and held a virtual conversation with Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, demonstrating his efforts to garner regional backing.
Additionally, former Colombian President Andrés Pastrana revealed that nine former regional leaders were prepared to accompany González on his journey back to Venezuela.
This group intends to depart from the Dominican Republic on January 9, and they have made it clear that they will stand with González as he returns to his homeland.
González Meets with U.S. Leaders Ahead of Return
During his international tour, González also visited Washington, D.C., where he met with U.S. President Joe Biden, various congressmen, and even members of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team.
This significant diplomatic outreach indicates González’s strategy to secure broader international backing and strengthen his claim to the presidency ahead of the January 10 swearing-in.
Maria Corina Machado Calls for Nationwide Protests on January 9
Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado has called for a massive nationwide protest on January 9, urging Venezuelans in major cities to take to the streets to demand political change.
Despite being in hiding for several months due to threats from the government, Machado has vowed to join the protesters, describing the day as “historic.”
Her call to action highlights the deep divisions within Venezuela and the rising tensions surrounding the legitimacy of the upcoming presidential inauguration.
Government Threatens Legal Action Against González
As González prepares for his return to Venezuela, the government has made it clear that it will not tolerate his entry into the country.
Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s interior minister, announced that as soon as González steps foot in Venezuela, he will be arrested and prosecuted for the alleged crimes he is accused of. Cabello’s remarks were accompanied by threats to other former leaders who might accompany González, warning them not to interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs.
Maduro’s Defiant Position on January 10 Inauguration
Despite the political turmoil and the ongoing international pressure, Maduro’s government remains resolute.
Cabello, along with Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, reiterated that Nicolás Maduro would be sworn in for a third consecutive term on January 10, in accordance with the government’s interpretation of the election results.
This defiance signals that the Venezuelan government is determined to maintain control, even in the face of widespread opposition.
This unfolding political crisis remains a point of significant international concern, as the world watches to see how Venezuela’s power struggle will unfold in the coming days.