Venezuela’s top prosecutor, Tarek William Saab, announced on Monday that he is launching a criminal investigation into opponents of President Nicolás Maduro. The investigation stems from a written appeal by presidential candidate Edmundo González and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, urging the country’s armed forces to stop supporting Maduro and repress demonstrators.
The Associated Press reported that Saab’s statement, released hours after receiving the appeal, alleged that González and Machado falsely claimed a different presidential election winner than the one declared by the National Electoral Council (CNE). According to Saab, the duo’s appeal urged security forces to disobey the law and violated various legal provisions.
In a post on X, Saab accused González and Machado of inciting disobedience among police and military officials. He stated that their appeal exhibited crimes such as usurpation of functions, spreading false information to create fear, and conspiracy.
González and Machado’s appeal, addressed to leaders of the security forces, called for them to side with the people and their families, claiming that the opposition had won the election by a landslide. They emphasized the need to respect the will of the people.
The Maduro-controlled CNE declared Maduro the winner with 51% of the vote, compared to 44% for the opposition. However, they have yet to release voting tallies to support their claim.
Pre-election polling, which is illegal in Venezuela, suggested that González received double the votes of Maduro. The opposition also maintains that they have collected records from over 80% of the country’s polling booths showing their victory over Maduro.
The United States recognized González as the winner after claiming to have reviewed the tally sheets.
On Saturday, Maduro announced his government had cracked down on opposition protests and pledged to arrest more individuals. According to the Associated Press, the post-election uprising has resulted in at least 11 fatalities, as reported by the Caracas-based human rights group Foro Penal.
González and Machado urged Venezuelans with family members in the security forces to persuade them to disobey illegal orders and refrain from attacking protesters. They promised guarantees for soldiers who uphold the constitution while stating that those who commit abuses and follow illegal orders will face consequences.
González, a former diplomat, and Machado, who was barred from running for office by the government, are both in hiding due to fears of arrest or death. Maduro has threatened to imprison both individuals.
Digital’s Peter Aitken and