Costa Rica Offers Asylum to Venezuelan Opposition Leaders

Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre announced the country's willingness to offer political asylum to Venezuelan opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez. This follows arrest warrants against them, and Maduro's disputed election victory claim. Costa Rica's presidency rejects Maduro's election results as fraudulent.

Costa Rica's Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre has announced that the country is prepared to grant political asylum to Venezuelan opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez. The announcement comes in response to arrest warrants issued against both leaders.

Andre's statement explicitly mentioned support for all politically persecuted individuals in Venezuela, especially those currently taking refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas. This group includes six individuals, one of whom is an opposition adviser who disclosed attempts by security forces to breach the embassy.

The context of this development is Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's contentious election victory, which was declared amidst allegations of fraud. In response, Costa Rica's presidency has rejected Maduro's win, amplifying regional tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)