Uncertainty surrounds Edmundo González’s whereabouts

González arrived in Santo Domingo from Panama last Wednesday, participating in events with Dominican President Luis Abinader and former Latin American leaders. At the National Palace, Abinader voiced support for Venezuela’s opposition, urging the Chavista regime to enable a peaceful democratic transition. González also joined a rally in Santo Domingo as part of global opposition protests. On January 10, the day Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for another term by the Chavista-controlled National Assembly, González released a message asserting his readiness to return to Venezuela and assume the presidency, which he claims was rightfully won in the disputed July elections.

Declaring himself president-elect and commander-in-chief, González called on Venezuela’s military to disobey orders from Maduro’s regime and to prepare conditions for his return. He accused Maduro of orchestrating a coup and urged national institutions to reject the government’s legitimacy. The July 28 election remains contested, with the opposition alleging victory based on collected minutes, while the government-controlled National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner.