Venezuela’s prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for the opposition candidate in the country’s presidential election in July. The move comes amid confusion after President Nicolas Maduro was declared to have been reelected.
Edmundo Gonzalez was the opposition camp’s unified candidate in the election.
The election commission said Maduro won a third term in office.
But supporters of opposition parties are claiming that Gonzalez won with 67 percent of the votes. Countries around Venezuela and international bodies have called for detailed election results to be published or vote tallies reviewed.
Venezuela’s state-run television reported on Monday that authorities have requested the warrant to arrest Gonzalez on suspicion of conspiracy and other crimes.
Observers say the prosecutors’ office is believed to be under the influence of the government. Authorities have summoned Gonzalez to testify in court, accusing the opposition camp of publishing fake election tallies online.
An opposition leader has criticized the prosecutors’ move in a social media post, saying it will only lead to more unity among the opposition and increase support for Gonzalez from Venezuelans and the world.