Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González has left the country and sought asylum in Spain after being in hiding for days. A warrant for his arrest was issued following the opposition’s challenge to the results of July’s presidential election, which declared Nicolás Maduro the winner.
Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez announced on social media that González had “voluntarily” taken refuge at the Spanish embassy in Caracas before requesting asylum from Spain. She confirmed that the Venezuelan government granted him safe passage to leave the country.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, stated that González left on his request aboard a Spanish Air Force plane, and reaffirmed Spain’s support for the political rights of Venezuelans. A lawyer for González also confirmed his departure to Spain, without providing further details.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan security forces have surrounded the Argentine embassy in Caracas, where six political opponents of President Maduro are currently taking refuge. The Venezuelan government claims that terrorist activities are being planned inside the embassy.
Venezuela has been mired in a political crisis since the disputed July 28 election. The opposition claims to have evidence showing that González won by a significant margin, posting detailed voting data online to back up their claim. Several countries, including the U.S., the European Union, and Latin American nations, have refused to recognize Maduro’s victory without more transparency from Caracas. The situation has led to the detention of over 2,400 people, which the UN describes as creating a “climate of fear” in Venezuela.
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