Rio de Janeiro, 3 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) - A Venezuelan judge on Monday issued an arrest warrant for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González on charges including usurpation of office, incitement to sedition, conspiracy and sabotage.

The warrant was issued by a judge with jurisdiction in terrorism cases following a request from prosecutor Luis Ernesto Duenez amid turmoil in the country triggered by a disputed presidential election.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab had previously announced investigations against González and opposition leader María Corina Machado on charges of usurpation of office and incitement to sedition.

The electoral authority loyal to the government declared Nicolás Maduro, the authoritarian head of state who has been in power since 2013, the winner of the July 28 presidential election.

However, it has not yet published the itemized results. The opposition is accusing the government of electoral fraud and is claiming victory for González.

Countries including the United States, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Costa Rica have recognized González as the true winner, alleging electoral fraud.

The European Union and the Organization of American States have also cast doubt over the official election result.

The state reacted harshly to nationwide demonstrations against the official election results. According a United Nations report, at least 1,260 people had been detained and 23 killed in Venezuela since the election amid "fierce repression by the state."

Many foreign governments had already refused to recognize Maduro's re-election in 2018. Juan Guaidó, the then-parliamentary president, declared himself interim president.

The US, Germany and other countries recognized Guaidó, but Maduro was able to retain the support of powerful groups within Venezuela, including the military.

The armed forces have once again pledged their loyalty to Maduro.

MIA file photo