ALBAWABA - The Venezuelan government said on Saturday that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who was in hiding after challenging President Nicolas Maduro's disputed reelection, had departed the country to seek refuge in Spain.
A lawyer for Gonzalez Urrutia confirmed to AFP that the opposition candidate had left for Spain. Venezuela has been in a political crisis since July 28, when officials declared Maduro the winner of the election. The opposition called foul, alleging they had evidence Gonzalez Urrutia had won by a large majority.
Venezuela's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, stated: "After taking refuge voluntarily at the Spanish embassy in Caracas a few days ago, (Gonzalez Urrutia) asked the Spanish government for political asylum,".
Many countries, notably the United States, the European Union, and numerous Latin American countries, have refused to acknowledge Maduro as the winner unless Caracas releases complete poll results.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares wrote on X that Gonzalez had requested asylum and was traveling to the country on a Spanish air force plane. "The government of Spain is committed to the political rights of all Venezuelans," he said.
Gonzalez had been hiding for a month after prosecutors issued an arrest order based on his claim that he was the real winner. Since the election, demonstrations have claimed the lives of at least 27 people and wounded 192. Maduro's government claims to have detained over 2,400 individuals.
