Venezuela opposition leader flees to Spain after arrest order
Edmundo González, in a recent photo. (AFP Photo)
Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González fled to Spain Saturday after authorities issued an arrest order against him, escalating the country’s political crisis.
Gonzalez’s departure comes one month after his party presented voting records alleging his victory in the July 28 presidential election, despite official results declaring President Nicolas Maduro the winner.
Venezuela election dispute, arrest order
González’s party claims he won the election by a significant margin, presenting over 80% of voting tabulations that indicate he received nearly 70% of the vote.
However, Venezuela’s electoral authority declared Maduro victorious with 51.95% of the vote.
Authorities subsequently ordered González’s arrest, accusing him of forging public documents, incitement to disobedience of laws, conspiracy, and sabotage.
The charges are linked to the opposition’s decision to publish voting records online, showing what they claim is evidence of widespread electoral fraud.
Growing repression following the election
The Venezuelan government has intensified its crackdown on dissent in the weeks following the election.
More than 2,400 protesters have been detained, and four prominent opposition politicians have been arrested.
Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, commented on the situation: “The forced exile of the country’s president-elect is a sad day for the millions who voted for him. It also places a political transition even further from reach.”
International response
According to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, González sought refuge in the Spanish embassy in Caracas days before his departure, which was arranged in coordination with the Spanish government.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, confirmed González’s arrival on a Spanish Air Force plane.
“Edmundo González, at his request, flies to Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane. The Government of Spain is committed to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans.” Albares said.
The U.S. and other international governments, which have recognized González as the rightful winner of the election, are expected to express further condemnation of Maduro’s actions.
Rising tensions in Caracas
González’s departure comes as tensions in Caracas reach a boiling point. On Friday, people associated with Maduro stationed themselves outside Argentina’s embassy, threatening to pursue opposition campaign workers who have been sheltered there since March.
Six top aides of opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was barred from running in the election, are currently being protected at the embassy under an agreement with Brazil.
Maduro’s increasing authoritarianism has drawn criticism from Latin American leaders, including the presidents of Brazil and Colombia, who have struggled to mitigate the political crisis in Venezuela.
