Venezuelan opposition leader and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez arrived in Spain on Sunday, September 8, 2024, seeking asylum, hours after fleeing his home country amid a political and diplomatic crisis following July’s disputed election. According to Spain’s foreign ministry, Gonzalez arrived at the Torrejon de Ardoz military base with his wife after being granted safe passage by the Venezuelan authorities.
Gonzalez, 75, has challenged President Nicolas Maduro’s claim of victory in the election, which the United States, the European Union, and other international powers believe he won. His departure comes a week after Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for him, accusing him of conspiracy and other crimes. “Today is a sad day for democracy in Venezuela,” said European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. “In a democracy, no political leader should be forced to seek asylum in another country.”
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated on social media that the authorities had allowed Gonzalez safe passage to promote “political peace.” Rodriguez added that Gonzalez had voluntarily sought refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas several days prior. However, Spain’s foreign ministry clarified that there had been no discussions with the Venezuelan government about his departure.
The Venezuelan opposition claims that Gonzalez won the July 28 election, citing their own tally of the vote count published online. In contrast, President Maduro has dismissed these claims, alleging a right-wing plot to undermine his government. “He [Gonzalez] has fled to protect his freedom, his integrity, and his life,” former opposition leader Maria Corina Machado wrote on social media, confirming Gonzalez’s arrival in Spain.
Gonzalez plans to continue his opposition efforts from Spain while Machado remains in Venezuela. She vowed that Gonzalez would be sworn in as the country’s president on January 10, 2025, and criticized the government’s tactics to “silence him and try to break him.”
Spain’s foreign ministry indicated that Gonzalez’s asylum process would commence immediately, “in line with Spain’s commitment to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelan citizens, particularly political leaders.” The opposition continues to call for international recognition of their victory and greater pressure on Maduro’s government. However, so far, military leaders have stood by Maduro, and international actions have been limited since the contested vote.
