Former Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González has fled the country after seeking asylum in Spain, Venezuela’s government confirmed on Saturday. González, who ran against President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela’s contested July elections, left the Spanish embassy in Caracas where he had taken refuge.
Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, announced via social media that González requested asylum from the Spanish government after spending several days at the embassy. The Venezuelan government reportedly agreed to grant him safe passage, allowing him to leave for Spain. The opposition has not yet commented on the situation.
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The country has been mired in political unrest since authorities declared President Maduro the winner of the July 28 election, which the opposition claims was rigged. González’s supporters allege he won the election by a significant margin, and many international actors, including the United States, the European Union, and several Latin American countries, have refused to recognize Maduro’s victory. They have called on the Venezuelan government to release detailed election results.
Following the election, Venezuelan prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for González due to his insistence that he was the legitimate winner. He remained in hiding for a month, evading multiple summonses from authorities.
Post-election violence has further destabilized the country, with at least 27 people killed and nearly 200 injured. The government has arrested over 2,400 individuals in connection with the unrest.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, confirmed González’s departure in an online statement, reiterating Spain’s commitment to protecting the political rights and safety of Venezuelans.
The Venezuelan government framed González’s departure as a step toward fostering political peace in the nation. However, the opposition has yet to issue a formal response to the developments.
Key Points
Edmundo González Seeks Asylum: Former Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González has left Venezuela and sought asylum in Spain.
Departure Confirmed: Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, confirmed González’s departure after he sought refuge at the Spanish embassy in Caracas.
Disputed Election: González ran against President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s contested July election, which the opposition claims was rigged.
International Response: Several countries, including the U.S., the European Union, and Latin American nations, refused to recognize Maduro’s victory without detailed voting data.
Arrest Warrant: After the election, Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for González, who went into hiding for a month.
Political Violence: Post-election violence has resulted in 27 deaths, nearly 200 injuries, and the arrest of over 2,400 people.
Spain’s Role: Spain’s government facilitated González’s safe passage and reiterated its commitment to defending Venezuelan political rights.
