Edmundo Gonzalez has claimed that his son-in-law was kidnapped on Tuesday by a group of thugs in Caracas.
Gonzalez claimed Rafael Tudares was kidnapped while he was driving to pick up Gonzalez’s grandchildren. He wrote on X, that “hooded black-clad” men had stopped his vehicle and placed Tudares in a “golden-colored van”. He didn’t mention what happened to his 6-year-old or 7-year-old grandchildren.
The kidnapping occurred despite the increased police and military presence in Caracas, since New Year’s Day. This was ahead of the Friday ceremony of the swearing-in for President.
A comment request from the central press office did not receive a response immediately.
Gonzalez is a former diplomat who represented Venezuela’s largest opposition coalition in the presidential elections of July, which he, as well as Maduro, claim to have won.
A Spanish judge issued an order for his arrest in September in connection with an investigation into elections. In recent weeks, he has promised to go back to Venezuela and take the oath.
González, 75, is touring the Americas to try to rally support for his effort to get Maduro out of office by Friday. That’s when, by law, the South American country’s next presidential term begins. On Monday, González met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House as well as with U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be his national security adviser once he is sworn in on Jan. 20.
Gonzalez, who has been recognized by many countries, including the U.S. as Venezuela’s president-elect, is yet to explain his plans to return to Venezuela and take power from Maduro. Maduro, who is the leader of Venezuela’s United Socialist Party (PSUV), has complete control over the government.
Gonzalez had never been elected to office before he ran in July for the Unitary Platform Coalition. The coalition selected him to stand in for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was blocked from running for office due to Maduro’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice.
Machado called on his supporters to demonstrate in Venezuela last Thursday. In a video message, he told his supporters that Maduro wouldn’t step down on his own and that “they must force him to leave “.
Maduro has also requested that his supporters show up on Friday.
Despite the increased security, it is unclear if anyone will go on the streets.
On Tuesday, despite being the first day of school after the holidays, children were nowhere to be seen during morning rush hour in Caracas, and some schools remained closed.
“We don’t feel safe with so many police officers,” said Mari Jimenez.