Trending Now - Opposition Leader Edmundo González Urges Presidential Vote in Venezuela

WHO:

ABC News - Edmundo González, a former Venezuelan opposition candidate and 76-year-old former diplomat.

AP News - Delcy Rodríguez, interim President of Venezuela, recognized by the U.S. administration of President Trump.

ABC News - Nicolás Maduro, former President of Venezuela, who was ousted in a U.S. military intervention.

ABC News - María Corina Machado, opposition leader who was barred from participating in the elections.

WHAT:

ABC News - Edmundo González called for presidential elections in Venezuela.

AP News - González was recognized by several countries as the legitimate winner of the July 2024 elections amid a post-election crisis.

ABC News - González stated it is time to “build the conditions for holding presidential elections that serve as citizen instruments for change.”

AP News - González asserted that an electoral process must have “independent referees,” national and international observation, and political pluralism.

WHERE:

ABC News - Caracas, Venezuela.

AP News - González has been in exile in Spain since September 2024.

WHEN:

ABC News - The five-month mark of Rodríguez’s administration approaches, which began on January 5.

AP News - The July 2024 elections were recognized amid a post-election crisis.

WHY:

ABC News - González's call for elections is aimed at contributing to the re-institutionalization of the country and laying the foundations for a stable government.

AP News - The U.S. recognized Rodríguez as Venezuela’s sole head of state, allowing her to reestablish ties with Western banks and work with U.S. investors.

HOW:

ABC News - González emphasized the need for the release of political prisoners and “an end to the persecution” as non-negotiable conditions for elections.

(UPDATED May 31, 2026 13:20 UTC)

Edmundo González, a former Venezuelan opposition candidate and diplomat now in exile in Spain, has called for presidential elections in Venezuela, emphasizing the need for independent referees and international observation to ensure a fair process. He has been recognized by several countries as the legitimate winner of the July 2024 elections, which were marred by a post-election crisis, and he insists that the release of political prisoners and an end to persecution are essential for any electoral process. Meanwhile, Delcy Rodríguez, the interim President of Venezuela recognized by Trump, is approaching the five-month mark of her administration, which began on January 5, as she works to reestablish ties with Western banks and engage with U.S. investors.