The opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia reacted this Wednesday to the 30-year sentence handed down against his son-in-law, Rafael Tudares. In his opinion, the punishment not only lacks legal basis, but also responds to political motivations that seek to directly harm him.
The leader – who has remained in exile since September of last year – stated that the sentence aims to affect his leadership and manipulate the political scenario that emerged after the presidential elections of July 28, 2024, in which the National Electoral Council proclaimed Nicolás Maduro the winner.
“Rafael and Mariana have no connection with my public responsibilities. Using the justice system to punish third parties is a practice that confirms the confusion between power and impunity that has done so much damage to the country,” he expressed. Gonzalez Urrutia through his X account.
For the leader, the judicial decision is incompatible with the constitutional order and is devoid of legal basis.
“In the face of this reality, the defense of the rights and dignity of all Venezuelans remains firm and does not retreat,” he added.
No access to the case file
Earlier, his daughter, Mariana González had confirmed that Tudares was sentenced for conspiracy crimes after a single hearing, which according to what he said lasted more than 12 hours.
“The authorities have confirmed to me that neither I nor my lawyer can access the case file, nor know the number of that file in the trial phase, as in fact they have prevented us from doing so since September of this year,” the wife denounced in a statement also published in X.
He assured that since the beginning of the process ten months ago they were never allowed to review the minutes, obtain a copy of the file or appoint trusted lawyers.
He pointed out that the State assigned him a public defender, of whom he only knows what has been officially communicated, without further details.
Tudares was arrested on January 7, days before Maduro was sworn in for a new presidential term. On the same day, human rights activist Carlos Correa – later released – and former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez were arrested.
Mariana González has insisted that she has not had any contact with her husband, either directly or through intermediaries, which increases concern about her situation.
With information from Efe.
