Spain will grant political asylum to Venezuelan opposition leader Gonzalez amid political crisis, confirms FM

First Published Sep 8, 2024, 2:15 PM IST | Last Updated Sep 8, 2024, 2:15 PM IST

Spain’s Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, confirmed on Sunday that the Spanish government will 'obviously' grant political asylum to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader. This decision follows Gonzalez’s recent escape from Venezuela, where he had sought refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas after a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Venezuelan authorities.

Gonzalez, who had been vocal in disputing the results of Venezuela’s recent presidential election, left Venezuela on a Spanish military aircraft on Saturday. He had sought asylum in the Spanish embassy after facing persecution from the Venezuelan government, which accused him of challenging the legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro’s re-election.

The Venezuelan authorities, led by the National Electoral Council (CNE), declared Maduro the victor of the July 28 election. This result was disputed by the opposition, who alleged that Gonzalez had won by a significant margin. Despite the opposition's claims and detailed voting data suggesting a substantial victory for Gonzalez, the election results were endorsed by the CNE, sparking widespread unrest and allegations of electoral fraud.

Minister Albares emphasized Spain’s commitment to upholding political rights and justice. He stated that Gonzalez’s departure from Venezuela was voluntary and confirmed that the opposition leader would be granted political asylum in Spain. This move aligns with Spain’s broader stance on supporting Venezuelan political dissidents and advocating for democratic principles.

Gonzalez’s departure comes amidst a broader political crisis in Venezuela. Following the disputed election results, Venezuela has seen increasing tensions, with the Maduro administration detaining over 2,400 individuals since the election. The UN has highlighted the creation of a “climate of fear” in the country, exacerbated by the government’s crackdown on dissent.

In a related development, the Argentine embassy in Caracas is currently under siege by Venezuelan security forces. Six other political opponents of President Maduro are reportedly sheltering there, with allegations from the Venezuelan foreign ministry claiming that terrorist activities are being plotted within the embassy.

Edmundo Gonzalez, a relatively obscure figure until March of this year, was selected by Venezuela’s main opposition coalition as their presidential candidate after Maria Corina Machado, the original choice, was barred from running due to a government-imposed ban. Gonzalez’s candidacy was a last-minute decision by the opposition, which had previously faced numerous challenges and setbacks.

Gonzalez, who has faced accusations from the Attorney General’s office of conspiracy and document forgery, was thrust into the spotlight as he contested the CNE’s election results alongside Machado. His emergence as a candidate was a strategic move by the opposition to maintain momentum against the Maduro administration.

For more reliable and latest news