The Venezuelan government has deployed 1,200 military personnel nationwide to ensure "peace" ahead of Nicolás Maduro's inauguration for a new term, scheduled for January 10, 2025, according to the Strategic Operational Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (CEO-FANB).
Maduro is set to take the oath of office after claiming victory in the disputed July elections, which have been widely criticized as fraudulent. The opposition and significant portions of the international community do not recognize Maduro's victory and instead support his rival, Edmundo González Urrutia, who has announced his intention to return from exile in Spain to assume the presidency on January 10.
Colonel Alexander Granko Arteaga, a member of the Military Counterintelligence Directorate (Dgcim), stated in a video that the deployment aims to ensure national security and the peaceful inauguration of the president. He emphasized ongoing operations against mercenaries and reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining order.
Maduro plans to attend the Parliament, controlled by his party, to be sworn in for another six-year term, following the National Electoral Council's proclamation of his election victory on July 28, despite the absence of published election data.
The opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), has denounced the election results as fraudulent and insists that González Urrutia is the legitimate winner. Currently in exile since September, González Urrutia is on a tour of Latin America, having met with Argentine President Javier Milei, and plans to visit Uruguay and the United States before heading to Caracas for the inauguration.
However, the Venezuelan regime has issued an arrest warrant for him, alleging "conspiracy" and other election-related offenses. On Thursday, Venezuelan police announced a reward of $100,000 for information leading to González Urrutia's whereabouts, initially offering $500,000 but later reducing the amount.
The police statement included a wanted poster accusing González Urrutia of various crimes, including complicity in violent acts against the state, usurpation of functions, and incitement to disobedience of the law.