González Urrutia demands that Maduro end the repression and respect human rights.

In a highly polarized and tense political context, Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate for the presidency of Venezuela, has made a strong call to the current president, Nicolás Maduro, to put an end to the violence and persecutions that have marked recent days in the country. González, who is facing Maduro in the elections scheduled for July 28, published a video on his social media where he expresses his concern for the human rights situation in Venezuela and the escalation of protests following allegations of electoral fraud. González Urrutia's message is clear and forceful: "Mr. Nicolás Maduro, I call on you in the name of all Venezuelans to stop the violence and persecutions and to immediately release all compatriots who have been arbitrarily detained." This statement resonates in a country where peaceful demonstrations have been repressed and where opponents of the regime have faced an intensification of repression. The opposition candidate emphasized that demanding compliance with the Constitution and protesting peacefully should not be considered crimes. This assertion highlights the struggle of many Venezuelans who have taken to the streets to make their voices heard against what they see as a tainted and manipulated electoral process by the government. According to González, respecting the will of the people is fundamental to democracy and should not be penalized. The figures of repression are alarming. Maduro has declared that more than 2,200 people have been arrested following the post-election protests, in a context where human rights organizations have documented at least 24 deaths related to these demonstrations. These numbers reflect a grim outlook for civil rights in the South American country, where fear and repression have become constant elements in the lives of many Venezuelans. Meanwhile, González Urrutia faces his own legal situation. Currently, he and the disqualified opposition leader María Corina Machado are being investigated by the government on various charges, including "instigation to disobedience" and "cyber crimes." This judicial persecution is seen by many as a strategy of the regime to silence the opposition and maintain control over the political narrative in the country. The lack of transparency in the electoral process has also generated discontent. The National Electoral Council (CNE), considered by many to be an entity serving the government, has only published general results, without detailing the votes by polling centers or states. This opacity fuels doubts about the legitimacy of Maduro's re-election, who has been declared the winner with 52% of the votes, while his opponents claim to have won with an overwhelming 67%. In response to criticism and pressure, Maduro has turned to the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) to certify the electoral results. However, the opposition argues that this tribunal lacks independence and is an instrument of the government. The TSJ's decision to issue rulings that will be "unappealable" adds another layer of uncertainty and suspicion regarding the integrity of the electoral process. With the current situation, the climate of confrontation in Venezuela is intensifying. González Urrutia has made it clear that his struggle is not only political but also a defense of the fundamental rights of Venezuelans. The international community has begun to pay attention to the events in the country, and many are watching closely how developments will unfold in the coming days and weeks. The growing repression, along with calls for peace and legality, raises questions about the future of Venezuela and its democracy. The outcome of this electoral contest will be decisive not only for the country but also for the region, which is closely observing the development of this crisis. Meanwhile, Venezuelans continue to take to the streets, defying fear and oppression, crying out for a change that seems increasingly distant. In this scenario, Edmundo González Urrutia stands as a symbol of resistance against a regime that, at all costs, seeks to maintain control over a country worn down by years of political and social crisis. The struggle for freedom and justice in Venezuela is just beginning.