Venezuelan Opposition Leader Seeks Asylum in Spain Amid Political Turmoil

Edmundo Gonzalez, a former Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate, has fled to Spain seeking asylum. His departure is seen as a significant setback for efforts to challenge President Nicolás Maduro’s rule. This comes after accusations of election fraud and a government order for Gonzalez's arrest.

Edmundo Gonzalez, a former Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate, has sought asylum in Spain, confirmed a senior Venezuelan official. This unexpected move undermines the opposition's efforts to unseat President Nicolás Maduro and follows a government order for Gonzalez's arrest.

Gonzalez had taken refuge in Spain's embassy in Caracas over recent days, as revealed by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. The government granted him safe passage from the country to help restore political calm, although neither Gonzalez nor his opposition associates have commented.

Aged 75, Gonzalez was initially a little-known replacement candidate when opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was barred from running. Despite this, his campaign swiftly gained momentum, reflecting the urgency for change among Venezuelans affected by economic hardships.

Western governments have yet to validate Maduro's win from the July vote, demanding a transparent breakdown of results. Opposition tallies maintain Gonzalez's victory by a significant margin, questioning the credibility of electoral authorities who cited a cyberattack for withholding results.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused Gonzalez of electoral sabotage for not appearing in court. U.N. experts and the Carter Center, observing the elections, criticized the credibility of the results without validating the opposition's victory claim.

(With inputs from agencies.)