Opposition Leader Leaves Venezuela, Granted Political Asylum by Spain

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Edmundo González faces arrest over charges of allegedly forging election documents and attempting to undermine Venezuela’s Electoral Council.

The vice president of Venezuela said on Saturday that opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia has left the country for political asylum in Spain.

González went into hiding days after the contested results of Venezuela’s July election were announced by the government-controlled National Electoral Council (NEC) on July 28, which declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner with 52 percent support without releasing detailed voting data.

Meanwhile, the opposition published detailed voting tallies from a majority of voting precincts online, which it says is evidence that González won by a convincing margin of over two-thirds. In response, Attorney General Tarek William Saab, a staunch Maduro ally, issued warrants for González’s arrest over charges of allegedly forging election documents and attempting to undermine the NEC.

González had failed to appear three times in connection to the criminal electoral sabotage investigation.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday that González had left Venezuela from the Spanish embassy where he was seeking asylum.

“After taking refuge voluntarily at the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago, [González] asked the Spanish government for political asylum,” she said on Instagram. She added that González’s request to leave the county had been granted by the government.

González’s lawyer Jose Vicente Haro also confirmed the opposition leader’s departure.

Spain’s foreign minister said González had requested asylum and that a Spanish air force plane was sent.

“Spain is committed to the political rights and physical integrity of all Venezuelans,” Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said in a statement.

González, 75, ran against Maduro in July as a widely unknown candidate who registered to run for president after the party’s president Maria Corina Machado was barred from running for public office in March by government authorities.

Experts from the United Nations and the Carter Center, which at the invitation of Maduro’s government observed the election, determined the results announced by electoral authorities lacked credibility. In a statement critical of the election, the U.N. experts stopped short of validating the opposition’s claim to victory, but they said the voting records it published online appear to exhibit all of the original security features.

By Melanie Sun

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Rosie O’Donnell vs. Her Therapist

Rosie O’Donnell's therapist attempted to artfully introduce to her client to the possibility that Rosie's outrage might be performative. It didn’t take.

Hamas’s Stubborn Grip on Arms Signals No Desire for Genuine Peace

Hamas’s rhetoric reflects its founding ideology, prioritizing armed resistance over civilian welfare or diplomatic progress.

Off the radar

In the longstanding and brutal ledger of religious persecution, Nigeria now occupies its own grim chapter with its enduring pogrom against Christians.

The New Jackboots? A Wake-Up Call on Antifa and Fascism

An analysis of whether Antifa truly opposes fascism by comparing its tactics and behavior to historical signs and movements of fascist regimes.

If Federal Food Assistance Programs End, Theft Begins

Many patriotic Americans well versed in American History have...

Dallas Doctor Surrenders License After Texas AG Sues for Prescribing Gender Transition Drugs to Minors

Doctor surrendered her medical license following lawsuit by Texas AG Paxton, accusing her of illegally prescribing gender transition drugs to minors.

June Lockhart, Beloved Mother Figure From ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost in Space,’ Dies at 100

June Lockhart, a mother figure for a generation of TV viewers whether at home in “Lassie” or in the stratosphere in “Lost in Space,” has died at 100.

Kamala Harris Teases New White House Run: ‘I Am Not Done’

Kamala Harris hinted in a BBC interview that she may run for president again in 2028, saying she hasn’t ruled out another White House bid.

TCM Classic Tour at Warner Bros. Studio: Finding Stardust in Today’s Hollywood

Warner Bros. launched the TCM Classic Films Tour in April 2024, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through the studio’s historic movie legacy.

Trump Hikes Canada’s Tariffs by 10 Percent for Not Pulling Anti-Tariff Ad Immediately

Trump announced he will increase tariffs on Canada by 10% after ad by provincial government of Ontario misrepresented President Reagan’s speech on tariffs.

Trump Rolls Back Emissions Rules on Copper Smelters

President Trump issued a proclamation aimed at reversing a Biden-era environmental rule that enforced stricter air emission standards on copper smelters.

Donor Gives $130 Million to Cover Shortfall in Troop Pay During Shutdown

Trump announced on Oct. 23 that an anonymous donor sent $130M to cover military pay during the ongoing government shutdown.

‘Frustration’ With Canada Led to Trump Scrapping Talks, Not Just Ontario’s Ad: US Official

President Trump cited Ontario’s TV ad as the reason for halting Canada trade talks, but officials say it stems from rising U.S. frustration with Ottawa.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central