Venezuela’s government and opposition double down on positions about arrest of human rights attorney

Venezuela’s government and opposition on Wednesday doubled down on their respective defense and condemnation of the detention of a prominent human rights attorney, evidencing once more their vastly different interpretations of an agreement to work on conditions for a free and fair presidential election this year.

The deal, signed in October with the blessing of the government, binds both sides to promote a political and social climate favorable to a peaceful election. But while Attorney General Tarek William to an alleged plot to destabilize the country, the representatives of a faction of the opposition pointed to the arrest as the latest example of escalating repression.