Edmundo González, the contender against Nicolás Maduro in the recent Venezuelan elections, has fled the country, as reported by vice-president Delcy Rodriguez on Saturday. Spain has given González sanctuary, with his exit taking place a week following a government-issued warrant for his arrest.
González previously sought safety in Spain’s embassy in Caracas, and both countries facilitated his departure over the weekend. This action will likely provoke further criticism from the United States and other nations who believe González to be the legitimate winner of the election on the 28th of July. In contrast, Venezuelan officials proclaimed — sans proof — Maduro’s third-term victory.
Prosecutors have charged González with multiple violations, including the falsification of a public document, instigation of law-breaking, conspiracy, and sabotage. This follows the opposition revealing voting data to evidence González’s overwhelming victory, as per the arrest warrant posted on the Instagram account of Venezuela’s Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.
González’s escape takes place against a backdrop of escalating government suppression, with a number of Maduro’s enforcers surrounding the Argentinian embassy in Caracas since Friday. This is seen as an attempt to intimidate the opposition campaign staff who have taken refuge within the embassy for several months.