Venezuela's electoral authority said President Nicolas Maduro was the winner of the recent presidential election, but the opposition claimed victory and called for protests against the results.

The Public Prosecution accused the defendants González and Machado of "falsely declaring the winner of the presidential election," adding that only the country's official National Electoral Council had the authority to make such a declaration.

According to the agency, the two defendants will be investigated for "alleged crimes of usurping positions, spreading false information causing unrest, inciting disobedience to the law, inciting rebellion, criminal association and criminal conspiracy".

Venezuela's opposition and many other countries have refused to recognize President Maduro's victory in the July 28 vote until the full vote count is released.

Ngoc Anh (according to CNN, Reuters)