Venezuela’s government has doubled down on its intention to arrest the opposition leader who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s election

CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Venezuela’s Opposition called Sunday for mass protests on January 9, a day before President Nicolas Maduro is set to begin a third term following his widely disputed reelection.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia called Sunday for the military to recognize him as commander-in-chief, as he continued an international tour seeking to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power.

The Venezuelan opposition leader who the United States recognized as the winner of last year's presidential election has kicked off an international tour that will also take him to the United States.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has urged supporters to demonstrate across the country, telling them in a video message that President Nicolás Maduro will not step down on his own and they “must make him leave.

González, who the United States recognized as the winner of last year's presidential election in Venezuela, kicked off an international tour on Saturday that will take him to Washington.

Venezuela's government is intensifying efforts to apprehend opposition leader Edmundo González, who claims to have defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year's contentious election. On Sunday, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez declared the immediate arrest of González if he sets foot in the country.