Maduro's Opponent Departs Venezuela, Heads to Spain
Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has departed for Spain, where he is expected to be granted political asylum. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Edmundo Gonzalez, a prominent opposition figure in Venezuela and the chief rival to President Nicolas Maduro in the recent presidential election, has departed the country for Spain, where he is expected to receive political asylum.
The 75-year-old politician was evacuated by a Spanish Air Force plane on Sunday. Gonzalez had previously requested asylum in Spain, and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that Madrid would “obviously” grant it.
Venezuelan authorities agreed to allow the politician safe passage abroad, despite numerous criminal accusations against him, for the “sake of the tranquility and political peace of the country,” as noted by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. Before reaching this agreement, Gonzalez had reportedly stayed at Spain’s embassy for an undisclosed duration as a “voluntary refugee,” according to Rodriguez's statement.
After the July presidential election, Gonzalez went into hiding. Official figures from the National Electoral Council indicated that Maduro won with 52% of the votes. However, the opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud, asserting that Gonzalez was the actual victor with approximately 67% of the ballots.
The opposition candidate gained support from the US, the EU, and several other nations that refused to acknowledge Maduro’s win. Conversely, countries like China and Russia supported the elected president and recognized the election results.
In early September, Venezuelan officials issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, accusing him of multiple offenses, such as incitement to disobey laws, forgery of public documents, usurpation of public functions, conspiracy, criminal association, and sabotage.
This situation unfolds as six Venezuelan opposition members remain confined within the Argentine embassy in Caracas, which is currently surrounded by local security forces. Following the presidential election, diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Argentina were severed after Buenos Aires raised questions about the election results.
The Brazilian government has been managing the embassy's premises, acting on behalf of Argentina’s interests. However, on Saturday, Caracas revoked Brazil's authorization, alleging that the embassy was being utilized as a base for a supposed plan for "magnicide": an assassination attempt targeting Maduro or Rodriguez. Caracas did not provide further details regarding the evidence it claimed to have discovered, while Brazil expressed that the decision was a “surprise” and reinforced its determination to represent Argentina’s interests.
In a statement, the Brazilian government emphasized the inviolability of the Argentine diplomatic mission facilities, particularly regarding the six Venezuelan asylum seekers and the embassy's assets and archives, as enshrined in the Vienna Conventions.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
The 75-year-old politician was evacuated by a Spanish Air Force plane on Sunday. Gonzalez had previously requested asylum in Spain, and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that Madrid would “obviously” grant it.
Venezuelan authorities agreed to allow the politician safe passage abroad, despite numerous criminal accusations against him, for the “sake of the tranquility and political peace of the country,” as noted by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. Before reaching this agreement, Gonzalez had reportedly stayed at Spain’s embassy for an undisclosed duration as a “voluntary refugee,” according to Rodriguez's statement.
After the July presidential election, Gonzalez went into hiding. Official figures from the National Electoral Council indicated that Maduro won with 52% of the votes. However, the opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud, asserting that Gonzalez was the actual victor with approximately 67% of the ballots.
The opposition candidate gained support from the US, the EU, and several other nations that refused to acknowledge Maduro’s win. Conversely, countries like China and Russia supported the elected president and recognized the election results.
In early September, Venezuelan officials issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, accusing him of multiple offenses, such as incitement to disobey laws, forgery of public documents, usurpation of public functions, conspiracy, criminal association, and sabotage.
This situation unfolds as six Venezuelan opposition members remain confined within the Argentine embassy in Caracas, which is currently surrounded by local security forces. Following the presidential election, diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Argentina were severed after Buenos Aires raised questions about the election results.
The Brazilian government has been managing the embassy's premises, acting on behalf of Argentina’s interests. However, on Saturday, Caracas revoked Brazil's authorization, alleging that the embassy was being utilized as a base for a supposed plan for "magnicide": an assassination attempt targeting Maduro or Rodriguez. Caracas did not provide further details regarding the evidence it claimed to have discovered, while Brazil expressed that the decision was a “surprise” and reinforced its determination to represent Argentina’s interests.
In a statement, the Brazilian government emphasized the inviolability of the Argentine diplomatic mission facilities, particularly regarding the six Venezuelan asylum seekers and the embassy's assets and archives, as enshrined in the Vienna Conventions.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
