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.

(Reuters) -Venezuela opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who says he resoundingly won a July presidential election but has been living in Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest, said on Thursday he will travel to Argentina this weekend.

The appearance comes days before the politician's rival, Nicolas Maduro, is set to be sworn in for a third presidential term in Caracas

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.

Venezuela opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who says he resoundingly won a July presidential election but has been living in Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest, said on Thursday he will travel to Argentina this weekend.

The former Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González, who claims to have won the election against Nicolás Maduro and is recognized by some countries as the legitimate president-elect of Venezuela,