Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González has fled into exile in Spain after being granted asylum there, dealing a significant blow to those who supported his opposition campaign against two decades of single-party rule in Venezuela.
The unexpected departure of González, considered by many in Venezuela's opposition and several foreign governments to be the rightful winner of July's presidential race, was announced by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. The government granted González safe passage out of the country just days after ordering his arrest in an effort to restore political peace and tranquility.
González arrived in Spain on Sunday at a military airport near Madrid, accompanied by his wife and Spanish officials. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado stated that González feared for his life if he remained in Venezuela, citing threats, legal citations, arrest orders, and blackmail attempts against him.
The Spanish government confirmed that González's decision to leave Venezuela was voluntary, and he was granted political asylum upon his arrival. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares expressed the government's commitment to the political rights of all Venezuelans and welcomed González to Spain.
European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, described González's departure as a sad day for democracy in Venezuela and reiterated the EU's support for the Venezuelan people's democratic aspirations.
González, a 75-year-old former diplomat, emerged as a presidential candidate after Machado was banned from running. Despite not being well-known in Venezuela, he garnered widespread support from citizens seeking change amid economic challenges.
While President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner of the July election, many Western governments, including Spain, have not recognized his victory and are demanding transparency in the voting results. Tally sheets collected by opposition volunteers suggest González won by a significant margin.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab, a Maduro ally, sought González's arrest over alleged electoral sabotage. The UN and the Carter Center raised concerns about the election's credibility, with the opposition claiming victory based on voting records.
Exiled opposition politician Franco Casella stated that González would continue to oppose the regime from abroad alongside Machado, who remains in hiding in Venezuela. Spain has been a key destination for Venezuelan exiles, with thousands immigrating to the country in recent years.
