CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s government Sunday doubled down on its intention to arrest the opposition leader who claims he defeated President Nicolás Maduro in last year’s election in the form of a threat from the ruling party-controlled congress.

Without mentioning Edmundo González’s name, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez said the unicameral body would order the immediate arrest of the retired diplomat should he step on Venezuelan soil.

The threat follows the government’s recent announcement of a $100,000 reward for information on González’s whereabouts and comes less than a week before Venezuela’s next presidential term is set to begin.

González left Venezuela for exile in Spain in September after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with an election-related investigation. In recent weeks, he has vowed to travel to Venezuela to be sworn in for the presidential term which, by law, must begin Friday.

— The Associated Press