Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González arrived in Spain on Sunday after being granted protected passage via an settlement between Venezuela and Spain.
González, 75, landed on the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base close to Madrid round 4 PM native time. He was accompanied by his spouse and Spain’s Secretary of State for World Affairs, Diego Martínez Belo. Upon arrival, they had been greeted by Susana Sumelzo, Spain’s Secretary of State for Latin America. The Spanish Overseas Ministry introduced that González would start the asylum course of, with Spain making certain his safety and political rights.
Final week, Venezuela’s Public Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for González after he missed three hearings associated to opposition-released election outcomes. The fees in opposition to him embody “disobedience of legal guidelines,” “conspiracy,” and “forgery of public paperwork.” These prices had been strongly rejected in a joint communiqué by Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay. The fees stem from the July elections, wherein President Nicolás Maduro was re-elected to a 3rd time period amid accusations of fraud from the opposition. González, backed by the Democratic Unity Platform (PUD), claims victory within the election and has demanded an in depth breakdown of the outcomes, which the Nationwide Electoral Council has but to offer.
On Saturday, Venezuelan President Maduro authorized González’s protected passage, a call revered by the Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s Workplace. Legal professional Normal Tarek William Saab confirmed the transfer, citing Venezuela’s dedication to constitutional rights relating to asylum. Spanish Overseas Minister José Manuel Albares additionally verified González’s arrival on a Spanish Air Pressure aircraft, reaffirming Spain’s dedication to defending the political rights and security of Venezuelans.
Opposition chief María Corina Machado condemned the Venezuelan authorities’s actions, calling them “state terrorism” in response to the rising persecution of opposition figures following their electoral success on July 28. She emphasised that the threats in opposition to González and his supporters had been half of a bigger effort to undermine Venezuela’s democratic course of.
The Democratic Unity Platform (PUD) additionally issued an announcement in assist of González’s resolution to hunt asylum, describing it as additional proof of “state terrorism” below the Maduro regime. The coalition stays steadfast in making certain González’s inauguration as Venezuela’s president on January 10, 2025, as stipulated by the Structure. They referred to as on all Venezuelans to face united in opposition to the federal government efforts to suppress their democratic aspirations.
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez praised González as a “hero” and promised that Spain would proceed to assist him and different political activists from Venezuela. Sánchez reiterated Spain’s dedication to defending democracy and defending persecuted political figures worldwide.
In an announcement launched shortly after his arrival in in Madrid, González expressed his willpower to proceed combating for freedom and democracy in Venezuela. He recounted the threats and coercion he confronted upon departing Caracas however affirmed his dedication to attaining democratic change in his nation.
Source / Picture: jurist.org
