Former Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez has fled into exile after being granted asylum in Spain, delivering a serious blow to tens of millions who positioned their hopes in his upstart marketing campaign to finish 20 years of single-party rule.
The shock departure of the person thought-about by Venezuela‘s opposition and a number of other overseas govts, together with the US and EU, to be the reliable winner of July’s presidential race was introduced Saturday evening by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.She mentioned the government determined to grant Gonzalez secure passage in a foreign country to assist restore “the nation’s political peace and tranquility.” The dramatic exit of the 75-year-old got here per week after authorities issued an arrest warrant for him, accusing him of conspiracy and different crimes.
Spain’s centre-left govt mentioned the choice to go away was Gonzalez’s alone and he departed on a aircraft despatched by the nation’s air power. International minister Jose Manuel Albares mentioned his govt will grant Gonzalez political asylum as he requested. “I’ve been in a position to converse to (Gonzalez) and as soon as he was aboard the airplane he expressed gratitude towards the Spanish govt. I advised him we had been happy he’s effectively and on his approach to Spain, and I reiterated the dedication of our govt to the political rights of all Venezuelans.” Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez mentioned Friday, earlier than Gonzalez’s departure, that he was “a hero whom Spain shouldn’t be going to desert.”
EU overseas affairs chief Josep Borrell described it as “a tragic day for democracy in Venezuela,” and disclosed the Dutch had been concerned in serving to Gonzalez. The Netherlands secretly sheltered Gonzalez at Dutch embassy in Caracas for six weeks earlier than he fled.
Exiled opposition chief Franco Casella mentioned Gonzalez will marketing campaign towards the regime from overseas. Spain has been a serious level of exodus for Venezuelans, significantly these in opposition to Maduro’s regime. Some 44,000 folks immigrated to Spain in first six months of 2024. businesses
The shock departure of the person thought-about by Venezuela‘s opposition and a number of other overseas govts, together with the US and EU, to be the reliable winner of July’s presidential race was introduced Saturday evening by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.She mentioned the government determined to grant Gonzalez secure passage in a foreign country to assist restore “the nation’s political peace and tranquility.” The dramatic exit of the 75-year-old got here per week after authorities issued an arrest warrant for him, accusing him of conspiracy and different crimes.
Spain’s centre-left govt mentioned the choice to go away was Gonzalez’s alone and he departed on a aircraft despatched by the nation’s air power. International minister Jose Manuel Albares mentioned his govt will grant Gonzalez political asylum as he requested. “I’ve been in a position to converse to (Gonzalez) and as soon as he was aboard the airplane he expressed gratitude towards the Spanish govt. I advised him we had been happy he’s effectively and on his approach to Spain, and I reiterated the dedication of our govt to the political rights of all Venezuelans.” Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez mentioned Friday, earlier than Gonzalez’s departure, that he was “a hero whom Spain shouldn’t be going to desert.”
EU overseas affairs chief Josep Borrell described it as “a tragic day for democracy in Venezuela,” and disclosed the Dutch had been concerned in serving to Gonzalez. The Netherlands secretly sheltered Gonzalez at Dutch embassy in Caracas for six weeks earlier than he fled.
Exiled opposition chief Franco Casella mentioned Gonzalez will marketing campaign towards the regime from overseas. Spain has been a serious level of exodus for Venezuelans, significantly these in opposition to Maduro’s regime. Some 44,000 folks immigrated to Spain in first six months of 2024. businesses