CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's government on Thursday announced a $100,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of Edmundo González, the opposition candidate who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year's election.
The announcement came eight days before Venezuela's next presidential term is set to begin.
“A $100,000 reward is offered to anyone who provides information about his location,” the press office of the country’s Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations Agency said in the caption of an Instagram post showing a wanted-like bulletin with González's photo and instructions to turn him in to authorities.
Hours after the government's announcement, González's campaign said the former ambassador would kick off an international tour with a visit to Argentina, where he would meet with President Javier Milei on Saturday.
González left Venezuela in September for exile in Spain after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest as part of an investigation linked to the July 28 presidential election, which the country’s National Electoral Council, stacked with ruling-party loyalists, said was won by Maduro.
However, unlike previous presidential elections, electoral authorities did not provide detailed vote counts. Yet, the opposition collected tally sheets from 80% of the nation’s electronic voting machines, posted them online and said the voting records showed that the faction’s candidate, González, had won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro.
Global condemnation over the lack of transparency prompted Maduro to ask Venezuela’s high court, also stacked with ruling-party loyalists, to audit the results. The court subsequently reaffirmed his victory.
Maduro has already received an invitation from the National Assembly for a Jan. 10 swearing in ceremony.
Meanwhile, González has said he plans to return to the country by that date, but he has not explained how he intends to do so or what his plans are upon arrival.
In the days after his arrival in Spain, González said that in order to leave Venezuela, Maduro's allies had coerced him into signing a letter effectively recognizing his defeat in July’s presidential election.
Milei's government has been a strong supporter of Venezuela's main opposition coalition, including by sheltering five members of the faction since March at the Argentine diplomatic compound in the capital, Caracas.
FILE - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waits to receive attendees at the start of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) Summit in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Jesus Vargas, File)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga sprained his right ankle Saturday night and coach Steve Kerr expects the forward to miss some time.
Kuminga was hurt in the closing minutes of the first half of Golden State's 121-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies when he tried to block a shot and landed awkwardly. He will undergo an MRI exam.
Kerr said Kyle Anderson will play more minutes in Kuminga's absence.
“It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing, it was a significant sprain,” Kerr said. “We’ll just have a report tomorrow.”
Golden State hosts Sacramento on Sunday in a back-to-back.
Kuminga came into the game as the Warriors' second-leading scorer behind Stephen Curry, averaging 16.9 points, but was limited to 13 points over 15 minutes.
“It's going to be tough. JK's been playing the best basketball of his career these last couple weeks, so we're going to miss him,” Kerr said. “But Kyle will fill in well.”
Anderson played 21-plus minutes and had seven points, three assists and three rebounds. His playing time has been inconsistent but Anderson is eager for his opportunity.
“I've done my work already while not playing as far as working out and staying ready, so it's just a matter of going out there and playing basketball,” Anderson said, noting he has had similar circumstances before. “I've been in this situation two or three times in my career and I've always made the playoff rotation. That's just the goal is to keep getting better, support my teammates and when my number's called go out there and do what I can do.”
The Warriors have counted on their deep roster through injuries all season.
"I'm just glad we have the depth that we do by way of Kyle," Kerr said. “... We added a lot of depth for this reason, to be able to withstand some injuries.”
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Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, center, shoots a 3-point basket over Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, front, recovers the ball next to Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, back, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, center, looks to shoot between Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., left, and center Zach Edey, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, right, moves the ball while defended by Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
