Venezuela's opposition leader leaves country for Spain
SUMMARY
Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González has fled the country, seeking asylum in Spain. After a warrant was issued for his arrest following the disputed July election, González sought refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas. Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed his departure, stating that the Venezuelan government had agreed to his safe passage. Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, revealed that González left Venezuela on a Spanish Air Force plane and emphasized Spain’s support for the political rights of Venezuelans. González’s departure comes amid an ongoing political crisis, with the opposition disputing the official election results that declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner. The opposition claimed González had won and posted voting data supporting their stance. Despite international pressure, including from the U.S. and EU, the Maduro government has detained over 2,400 people since the election.
