González Urrutia defies arrest warrant and refuses to seek asylum in Venezuela.

Amid growing political tension in Venezuela, opposition figure Edmundo González Urrutia has decided not to seek asylum, despite a recent arrest warrant issued against him by a court with jurisdiction over terrorism. The opposition candidate's decision to maintain his position within the country comes at a critical moment, as voices of rejection and concern are heard from various international sectors. The arrest warrant against González was issued just minutes after the prosecution requested his arrest. At 75 years old, the diplomat and opposition member has denounced Nicolás Maduro's re-election as a fraud, insisting that the true electoral victory belongs to his candidacy in the elections held on July 28. For more than a month, González has been in hiding, facing charges that include "disobedience of laws," "conspiracy," "usurpation of functions," and "sabotage." González's lawyer, José Vicente Haro, spoke on the matter, indicating that his client has not sought refuge in any embassy, which highlights his intention to remain in the country, at least for the moment. According to Haro, González's family has also not considered the option of asylum, a decision that, in the current context, could be interpreted as an act of defiance against Maduro's regime. Maduro's government has responded harshly to the situation. The president, in a clear attempt to discredit González, labeled him a "coward" and suggested that he is preparing to flee. This intimidation strategy has generated fear among sectors of the population who see this arrest warrant as yet another example of the political repression characteristic of the Chavista government. Voices from civil society have expressed their concern. Mauricio, a 49-year-old engineer, believes that the government's action is a tactic to force González to leave the country, while Michelle, a 25-year-old lawyer, shares that concern, emphasizing that the return to normalcy in Venezuela is increasingly uncertain. From the international arena, the reaction has been swift. The spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, John Kirby, described the arrest warrant as a reflection of the "strength" that Maduro seeks to maintain at the expense of democratic rights. U.S. authorities have indicated that they are evaluating various options to address the regime's illegitimate actions. The European Union, through its high representative, Josep Borrell, has also spoken out against the measure, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over human rights violations in the country. This international support is crucial in a context where several Latin American countries have issued statements rejecting the arrest warrant, highlighting the lack of judicial guarantees in Venezuela. González Urrutia's situation is emblematic of an environment where the separation of powers is virtually nonexistent and where political persecution is a common tool used by the government to silence the opposition. Opposition leader María Corina Machado has thanked the international support, suggesting that resistance to repression continues. The controversy intensifies when considering that the elections in which Maduro was declared re-elected were held without the necessary transparency. The opposition has presented copies of more than 80% of the voting records as evidence of a result contrary to the official one, which the Chavismo dismisses as forged documentation. Amidst these tensions, the arrest warrant against González not only reflects the political crisis in Venezuela but also highlights the lack of genuine dialogue between the government and the opposition. The situation is further complicated by the context of post-electoral violence that left 27 dead and thousands detained, making the urgency for a peaceful solution more necessary than ever. The recent seizure of a plane associated with the regime by the United States adds another layer to this complex situation, reinforcing the perception that the international community is willing to take firm action against what it considers an authoritarian regime. In this context, the fight for human rights and democracy in Venezuela will continue to be one of the most pressing issues on the regional and international political stage.