Venezuelan opposition member denounces political persecution and fears for his legal security.

In a context marked by increasing political tension in Venezuela, Edmundo González Urrutia, one of the main opponents of Nicolás Maduro's regime, has called on the country's Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, to avoid what he describes as "political persecution." González, who has been living underground since July 30, bases his request on the fear that his legal situation will be used as a mechanism to silence the opposition. The opposition figure, who claims to have won the recent elections that proclaimed Maduro president for a third term, faces serious charges including "disobedience of laws," "conspiracy," "usurpation of functions," and "sabotage." These accusations center around an opposition-linked website that, according to its defenders, contains evidence of González's overwhelming victory at the polls, which starkly contrasts with the official government narrative. The situation is further complicated by the fact that González's lawyer, José Vicente Haro, has not had access to his client's file. Despite this, Haro appeared at the prosecutor's office to submit a document detailing the reasons why González has been unable to respond to subpoenas, which culminated in a request for arrest. In his statements, Haro emphasized the importance of clarifying the reasons for his client's absence, an act he considers essential to safeguard his rights. González Urrutia, through a document submitted by his defense, expressed concern that appearing before the prosecutor could exacerbate the already tense social situation in the country. In his message, he stressed that the judicialization of politics in Venezuela is a phenomenon that must be firmly rejected, echoing the concerns of many other opponents who have suffered repression from the Chavista regime. Reactions from the government were swift. Diosdado Cabello, one of the most powerful figures in Chavismo, denied rumors of a supposed meeting between Maduro and other regional leaders, such as Brazilian President Lula da Silva and Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Cabello, in a defiant tone, asserted that the handling of the Venezuelan crisis is a matter that should be discussed by the Venezuelans themselves and not an international topic that would be subject to coordination among other countries. The uncertainty in Venezuela has been fueled not only by internal political tensions but also by the reaction of the international community. The United States has expressed support for González and indicated that it is considering various "options" in response to the actions of Maduro's regime. This situation is particularly alarming given that U.S. authorities have previously imposed severe sanctions that, although recently relaxed, remain on the table as a resource in case things worsen. The protests that erupted following Maduro's proclamation as the winner in the July elections have left a devastating toll: at least 27 dead, over 190 injured, and nearly 2,400 detained, including teenagers. The organization Human Rights Watch has denounced these human rights violations, highlighting the brutality with which the government has repressed protesters and those opposing its mandate. Amid this crisis, Maduro's government has sought to divert attention by blaming the opposition, particularly González and fellow opposition figure María Corina Machado, for the acts of violence that occurred during the demonstrations. This approach not only attempts to justify the repression but also seeks to consolidate the regime's narrative of a supposed external threat that justifies a state of emergency. The future of González Urrutia and the opposition in general remains uncertain in a country where politics is increasingly marked by repression and a lack of democratic guarantees. As this crisis unfolds, the international community and Venezuelans within the country are paying closer attention to events, hoping that the opposition's voice can break through the silence and repression imposed by Maduro's regime. Undoubtedly, the struggle for democracy and respect for human rights in Venezuela is far from over and could have significant repercussions for the nation's political future.