Italy Summons Venezuelan Diplomat Over Arrest of Opposition Leader

Italy's foreign ministry summoned Venezuela's chargé d'affaires to protest the arrest warrant against opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez. They demanded the release of political prisoners and the publication of the July 28 election results, contesting President Maduro's victory claims. Venezuela hosts a significant Italian community of 160,000 nationals.

Italy's foreign ministry announced on Tuesday that it had summoned Venezuela's chargé d'affaires in Rome to protest an arrest warrant issued against opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez. During the meeting, Italian officials reiterated demands for the publication of the July 28 election results. While outgoing President Nicolas Maduro claims victory, opposition tallies show a significant win for Gonzalez.

The ministry declared, 'Italy strongly condemns the news of the arrest warrant against Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the opposition's presidential candidate.' Additionally, the ministry requested the release of political prisoners, specifically those holding Italian passports.

Venezuela is home to approximately 160,000 individuals of Italian descent, many of whom hold dual Venezuelan citizenship, according to the Italian embassy in Caracas. In the absence of an ambassador, the chargé d'affaires represents the highest diplomatic position in the embassy.

(With inputs from agencies.)