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.

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.

Venezuela’s opposition leader plans to meet Washington lawmakers and speak with President Joe Biden next week ahead of his promised return to the oil-rich South American nation after an election the US says was stolen from him.

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