Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who is contesting Nicolas Maduro’s re-election in the July 28 presidential election, left Venezuela for Spain on Saturday, September 7. The opponent, who had sought refuge at the Spanish embassy in Caracas, was granted political asylum. Venezuelan authorities issued him a safe-conduct pass “ in the interest of peace ” of the country, as announced by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.
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THE Venezuela has been in the midst of a political crisis since Nicolas Maduro’s contested re-election for a third term six years. The opposition, which claims victory for Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, contests the vote and accuses the authorities of manipulation.
” Today, September 7, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia (…) left the country. After voluntarily taking refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago, he requested political asylum from the Spanish government ” wrote Vice President Delcy Rodriguez on social media. Venezuela has granted the necessary safe conducts in the interest of peace and political tranquility in the country ” she said.
” I confirm that he left for Spain “, Mr Gonzalez Urrutia’s lawyer, Jose Vicente Haro, told AFP, saying he could not comment further.
After hiding for over a month, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia75, had requested asylum in Spain. He left the country with his wife, Mercedes, on board a Spanish Air Force plane. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed the departure on social media, saying that ” The Spanish government is committed to respecting the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans “.
The opponent, who had been living in hiding for over a month, had been targeted since September 3 by a arrest warrant for failing to appear for three summonses from the public prosecutor’s office, which was investigating an opposition website claiming that he had won the presidential election with more than 60% of the vote. The investigation includes accusations of ” disobedience to laws “, ” conspiracy “, ” usurpation of functions ” And ” sabotage “The opposition and many observers consider justice to be at the beck and call of those in power.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced that he would ” important statements » Sunday morning.
The National Electoral Council (CNE) had declared Nicolas Maduro the winner with 52% of the vote, without publishing the official minutes of the polling stations, citing an alleged computer attack. This is widely seen by theopposition as a maneuver by the authorities to avoid disclosing the exact count.
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International tensions
THE UNITED STATESthe European Union, as well as several Latin American countries, do not recognize the re-election of Nicolas Maduro. violent protests had broken out after the announcement of his victory, leaving 27 dead and more than 190 injured.
At the same time, tensions with the Brazil are intensified this weekend, after Caracas revoked the authorization given to Brazil to represent Argentina. Venezuelan authorities assure that they have ” evidence ” of ” the use of the mission for planning terrorist actions ” and attempted assassinations of President Nicolas Maduro by six opponents who have been taking refuge in the residence of the Argentine embassy since March.
For its part, the opposition continues to denounce the repression, accusing the police of maintaining a ” seat ” around the Argentine residence, now without electricity and under heavy surveillance. Since Friday evening, it has been surrounded by security forces, AFP journalists noted.
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