Venezuelan Opposition Leader Edmundo Gonzalez Flees to Spain After Terrorism Charges
Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has left the country for Spain, seeking political asylum, after facing terrorism and other charges related to the disputed presidential election in July, CNN reports.
Gonzalez, who had been residing in the Spanish embassy in Caracas for several days, departed on a Spanish Air Force plane at his own request, according to Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
The Venezuelan government, under President Nicolas Maduro, issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez last week, accusing him of terrorism, conspiracy, and other crimes allegedly linked to the July election.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced Gonzalez’s departure, stating that Venezuela allowed his exit “for the sake of the tranquility and political peace of the country.”
Gonzalez had previously ignored multiple summons to appear before prosecutors investigating claims he had secured a landslide victory in the election. Despite tens of thousands of election tallies published by the opposition showing a clear win for Gonzalez, the Venezuelan electoral authority, dominated by Maduro allies, declared the president the winner with 51% of the vote.
The opposition, along with numerous Latin American leaders, rejected Maduro’s victory, sparking deadly protests that resulted in thousands of arrests.
The United States has expressed concerns about the credibility of Maduro’s claimed victory, demanding the release of election data. The US has also seized one of Maduro’s planes, claiming it was purchased in violation of US sanctions.
