CARACAS, Venezuela — Edmundo González has emerged as a symbol of hope for countless Venezuelans, many of whom now refer to him as president. González is convinced he won the presidency in last year’s elections, but the government led by President Nicolás Maduro contests this claim.
The stakes have never been higher for the upcoming swearing-in ceremony on Friday, which is expected to outline who will govern Venezuela for the next six years. González, who had never sought public office before the July election, now carries the weight of the primary opposition alliance, the Unitary Platform coalition. His transformation from a virtually unknown grandfather to a prominent public figure has been swift, as crowds nationwide chant his name alongside calls for freedom.
However, standing up against the 25-year dominance of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela has come at a cost. Under pressure from the government, González has opted for exile. Recently, he revealed that his son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, was kidnapped in Caracas, an incident his daughter, Mariana González de Tudares, believes may have government involvement.
The coalition of major opposition parties has described the situation as a “forced disappearance for political reasons.” Meanwhile, the government’s press office has remained silent regarding requests for responses.
At 75 years old, González had been living a quiet retirement after a distinguished career in diplomacy before being chosen in April as the last-minute candidate to replace leading opposition figure Maria Corina Machado. Machado had been barred from running by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, which is controlled by Maduro’s regime, despite her sweeping victory in the opposition’s October 2023 primary.
After returning to Caracas from Europe, González faced a sudden proposal to enter the race. Prior to his candidacy, Machado had campaigned in his favor, presenting him to supporters as a sincere family man while showcasing his image at rallies.
González began his professional journey as an aide to Venezuela’s ambassador in the U.S. and went on to serve in various roles, including ambassadorships in Belgium, El Salvador, and Algeria. He finished his diplomatic career as ambassador to Argentina during the initial years of Hugo Chávez’s presidency.
Most recently, González has acted as an international relations consultant, providing commentary on political issues in Argentina and authoring works on Venezuela’s foreign minister during World War II. He has stated, “I have never participated in partisan politics,” characterizing his acceptance of candidacy as a significant duty toward Venezuela’s democratization.
González’s diplomatic background has equipped him with a unique demeanor that contrasts sharply with the fierce political climate in Venezuela. As a result, Maduro and his supporters have seized upon his calmness, interpreting it as weakness. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello publicly labeled González a coward and suggested, without evidence, that he might be a CIA operative.
Claims over the presidency stem from conflicting interpretations of election results. While electoral authorities quickly declared Maduro the winner at the close of polls, no detailed vote counts were made available, unlike previous electoral processes. However, the opposition has countered with evidence from tally sheets collected from over 80% of electronic voting machines, alleging that González received double the votes compared to Maduro.
Notably, the Carter Center, invited to observe the election by the Maduro administration, has deemed the opposition’s tally sheets legitimate. After facing legal challenges—which led to an arrest warrant issued against him—González fled to Spain in September. In response to this, the government recently posted a $100,000 reward for information regarding his location.
Despite the precarious situation, González has committed to returning to Venezuela to officially assume office. Amid this political turmoil, Maduro is preparing for a swearing-in ceremony that would extend his grasp on power until 2031.
Recognized as Venezuela’s president-elect by several foreign governments, including the U.S., González has not publicly articulated a strategy for reclaiming power from Maduro, whose party maintains control over all government branches. In an effort to galvanize international support leading up to the ceremony, he has embarked on a diplomatic tour throughout the Americas.
Recently, González met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House and also spoke with U.S. Representative Mike Waltz, signaling his ongoing commitment to rallying support. Shortly after announcing his son-in-law’s kidnapping, he mentioned his plans to travel to Panama next, continuing his advocacy for change in Venezuela’s political landscape.
