Silence surrounds Edmundo González’s plans ahead of Venezuela’s inauguration

Santo Domingo.- Edmundo González Urrutia’s visit to the Dominican Republic marks the final stop on his American tour, but as Friday unfolds, there is complete silence regarding his plans just hours before the Venezuelan presidential inauguration. Despite González’s claim to have won the July 2024 election in Venezuela, and the support of former Latin American leaders from the Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (Grupo Idea), no official statements have been made about his intentions.

While González and his allies had expressed plans to swear him in as president, security measures around their hotel in Santo Domingo have heightened, with a visible police presence and restrictions on photography. Former Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla indicated that González’s intentions remain unchanged, though a more detailed assessment is expected after discussions with him.

This silence coincides with the closure of Venezuela’s border with Colombia and the suspension of flights ahead of Nicolás Maduro’s planned re-election inauguration. The Venezuelan government has cited an alleged “international conspiracy” as the reason for the border closure, which will last for 72 hours, starting January 10, 2025. Despite claims from the opposition that González won the election, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council, controlled by the ruling party, declared Maduro the victor.