Venezuelan opposition figure Edmundo González has pledged to “keep fighting” for democracy in his homeland after being granted asylum in Spain.
Mr. González fled Venezuela after weeks in hiding, arriving at Madrid’s Torrejón military airbase with his wife around 16:00 local time on Sunday (14:00 GMT).
The 75-year-old’s departure came in the wake of the tumultuous July 28 elections, where President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory—a result that Mr. González and significant portions of the international community contested.
In an audio statement released by his press team, Mr. González expressed optimism, stating, “I am confident that soon we will continue the struggle to secure freedom and restore democracy in Venezuela.”
Before he left, Venezuelan authorities had issued an arrest warrant, accusing him of conspiracy, document forgery, and other “serious crimes.”
Mr. González thanked his supporters for their solidarity, confirming his arrival in Spain. He detailed the circumstances surrounding his departure from Caracas, saying: “I faced immense pressure, coercion, and threats to prevent me from leaving.”
Earlier, opposition leader María Corina Machado posted on social media that González had to leave Venezuela because “his life was in danger,” referring to the “brutal wave of repression” that followed the election.
Ms. Machado, a well-known political figure, had been expected to run against President Maduro but was blocked from doing so by pro-government institutions just before the election.
The opposition claims to have proof that Mr. González won by a clear margin, sharing detailed voting results online that purportedly show him defeating Mr. Maduro decisively.
Opposition Leader Edmundo González (Photo: AFP)
The U.S., the European Union, and most foreign governments have declined to recognize Maduro as the winner, demanding the release of official voting data to verify the results.
On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement, saying that Mr. González’s departure “is a direct consequence of the anti-democratic measures Maduro has imposed on the Venezuelan people, including [Edmundo] González Urrutia and other opposition leaders, since the election.”
He emphasized, “The election results and the people’s will cannot be dismissed by Maduro and the Venezuelan electoral authorities. We stand with González Urrutia in his call to continue the fight for freedom and democracy in Venezuela.”
Also on Sunday, European Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell expressed sadness over the situation, saying, “Today is a sorrowful day for democracy in Venezuela.” He stressed that “no political leader should be forced to seek asylum in a democratic system.”
Borrell called on Venezuela to cease its persecution of opposition leaders and release all political prisoners.
Speaking at a Socialist Party gathering on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hailed González as “a hero Spain will not abandon.”
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that Madrid would grant González asylum, reaffirming the country’s commitment to the political rights of all Venezuelans.
González’s departure coincided with Venezuelan security forces surrounding the Argentine embassy in Caracas, where six opposition figures were taking refuge.
Venezuela’s foreign ministry accused the opposition figures of plotting terrorist acts from within the embassy.
