"Maduro intensifies tensions by issuing 'wanted' posters against former presidents."

The regime of Nicolás Maduro has unleashed a new wave of tensions on the continent by announcing the distribution of "wanted" posters against seven former Latin American presidents who have expressed their intention to accompany the elected president, Edmundo González Urrutia, on January 10. This action, justified by the Minister of Interior, Diosdado Cabello, reflects a sharp deterioration in Venezuela's relations with several countries in the region and an escalation in the hostile rhetoric of the Chavista government. The posters, which will be distributed in the streets, ports, and airports of Venezuela, list former leaders such as Andrés Pastrana from Colombia, Mario Abdo Benítez from Paraguay, Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón from Mexico, as well as Mireya Moscoso and Ernesto Pérez Balladares from Panama, and Jamil Mahuad from Ecuador. In these posters, each former president is labeled as an "invader" and accused of "conspiracy and complicity in terrorist acts," highlighting a victimization narrative that the regime has used numerous times to justify its repression and aggressions. Cabello, during his weekly broadcast on VTV, delivered a defiant message, stating that these former leaders are not welcome in Venezuela and that their entry into the country will not be tolerated. "We don’t want them to enter," he emphasized, referring to national sovereignty and categorizing these former presidents as "criminals." Cabello's rhetoric is not only provocative but also seeks to consolidate the narrative of a government besieged by external forces that threaten its stability. The National Assembly, dominated by the ruling party, has backed this campaign by declaring the seven former presidents and other Latin American leaders as unwelcome, describing them as a "foreign force attempting to invade" Venezuela. Such statements fuel an atmosphere of confrontation and political polarization that could have repercussions on the stability of the region. For his part, González Urrutia, who claims victory in the controversial elections of July, has insisted that he will take office on January 10, despite accusations of fraud and repression that have marked that electoral process. His defiant stance, like that of Cabello, underscores the tension between the democratic aspirations of the opposition and the authoritarian posture of the regime. In response to this crisis situation, the Venezuelan opposition has called for a new day of protests, led by María Corina Machado. This Thursday, thousands of Venezuelans will rise against Maduro's regime, seeking to make their discontent visible and demand urgent change in the country. The protest, considered historic by its organizers, occurs in a context of repression and growing social control. Machado has become a symbol of resistance in a hostile environment, and her leadership will be crucial in mobilizing citizens. However, the opposition will face a strong security deployment in Caracas, where the Chavista government has also called for a demonstration to support Maduro in his alleged swearing-in. The atmosphere in the streets of Caracas is anticipated to be tense, with the possibility of confrontations between opposition protesters and security forces. The opposition has expressed its determination not to yield to what they describe as a usurping regime, while the government continues to reinforce its narrative of external threats, seeking to justify its repressive actions. In this complex scenario, the political future of Venezuela is at a critical juncture. The international community is closely watching the events unfolding in the country, as polarization deepens and hopes for democratic change seem further away than ever. The struggle between Maduro's regime and the opposition, symbolized by this Thursday's protests, could mark a new chapter in Venezuela's recent history and its relationship with the rest of Latin America. The situation undoubtedly merits close monitoring, as the coming days could be decisive for the country's future.