BUENOS AIRES, Jan 3, (V7N) – Venezuelan authorities announced Thursday a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who claims he won the country's disputed July presidential election.

Gonzalez Urrutia, currently in exile, departed Spain and is expected to arrive in Buenos Aires shortly. "Our tour of Latin America begins. First stop: Argentina," Gonzalez Urrutia wrote on X, adding plans to meet Argentine President Javier Milei on Saturday and urging Venezuelans to gather in Buenos Aires' Plaza de Mayo.

The 75-year-old has vowed to return to Venezuela by January 10 to be sworn in as president, directly challenging Nicolas Maduro, who is backed by the military and set to take office for a third term that same day.

Venezuelan police have circulated "wanted" posters of Gonzalez Urrutia nationwide, following charges of conspiracy and racketeering. Judicial sources confirmed the posters would be prominently displayed at airports and checkpoints.

Gonzalez Urrutia fled Venezuela for Spain in September after post-election crackdowns, and Spain granted him asylum on December 20. Despite government claims of victory, opposition figures and international observers allege electoral fraud, citing discrepancies in polling station data.

The disputed election sparked widespread protests in Venezuela, resulting in 28 deaths, 200 injuries, and over 2,400 arrests. International pressure for transparency in election results has mounted, but Maduro's government remains defiant.

Argentina, alongside the U.S., EU, and other Latin American nations, has refused to recognize Maduro's reelection, further isolating his administration on the global stage.

END/WD/RH/