According to the Venezuelan government, Edmundo González, the opposition presidential candidate, has fled the country and is requesting refuge in Spain.
After the opposition contested the results of the July presidential election, in which Nicolás Maduro was proclaimed the victor by the government-controlled National Electoral Council (CNE), González went into hiding and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez of Venezuela remarked on social media, “After taking refuge voluntarily at the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago, (Gonzalez Urrutia) asked the Spanish government for political asylum.”
“The head of Venezuela’s opposition departs the country and applies for refuge in Spain”
She further said that he had departed and that Caracas had consented to his safe passage.
Following the announcement by the authorities that President Maduro had won the July 28 election, Venezuela has been plunged into a political crisis.
In addition to posting comprehensive voting counts online that appear to show , González defeated Maduro handily, the opposition claimed to have proof that Mr. González had won by a wide majority.
Many nations have declined to acknowledge President Maduro as the victor until Caracas releases comprehensive election results, including the US, the EU, and numerous Latin American nations.
González had been living in hiding for a month before he left the country, having refused three separate summonses to appear before prosecutors.
Venezuela’s post-election violence has resulted in 27 fatalities and 192 injuries, according to the government, which also reports that 2,400 people have been arrested.
(BBC)
