Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate in Venezuela who challenged the re-election of Nicolas Maduro, has left the country and sought asylum in Spain. The move comes after Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced that Gonzalez had voluntarily sought refuge at the Spanish embassy in Caracas and then requested political asylum from the Spanish government. Venezuela, which has been in crisis since the disputed presidential election, has agreed to Gonzalez’s safe passage. The opposition claims Gonzalez had actually won the election, but Maduro’s government declared victory without releasing detailed results.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed that Gonzalez had requested asylum and is on his way to Spain on a Spanish air force plane. The Spanish government has expressed its commitment to the political rights of all Venezuelans. This development follows Venezuela revoking Brazil’s authorization to represent Argentina’s interests in the country, adding to the rising diplomatic tensions in the region.
Gonzalez had been in hiding for a month due to an arrest warrant issued by prosecutors. The aftermath of the election has been marred by protests resulting in casualties, with at least 27 people killed and 192 injured. Maduro’s government has reportedly arrested thousands in connection to the unrest. The situation remains tense as international pressure mounts for Venezuela to release the full election results.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
