Edmundo Gonzalez, the candidate for the opposition party in Venezuela’s presidential election in July and Nicolas Maduro’s political opponent, was forced to flee Venezuela.
Gonzalez arrived with his wife in Spain on Sunday, officially exiled from the country. His departure from Venezuela was part of an arrangement with Maduro’s government after an arrest warrant was issued for Gonzalez last week. The diplomat and recent presidential candidate was charged with multiple crimes, including conspiracy and falsifying documents, among other charges, according to the Associated Press.
Gonzalez is believed to be the rightful winner in Venezuela’s July presidential election. His opposition party allegedly provided proof of voter tallies in the country showing Gonzalez as the victor. However, Maduro, the country’s current president, claimed victory and refused to cede power. The country’s National Electoral Council, believed to be aligned with Maduro, declared him the winner in July but has been unable to provide any evidence of his victory.
Upon his arrival in Spain, Gonzalez released a statement to his supporters, encouraging them not to give up, the Associated Press reported. He explained that he was forced to flee the country.
“My departure from Caracas was surrounded by acts of pressure, coercion, and threats,” Gonzalez said. “I trust that we will soon continue our fight to achieve our freedom and the restoration of Venezuela’s democracy.”
Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition party leader, also under fir from Maduro’s government, cited dangerous conditions and threats to Gonzalez’s life as reasons for his departure to Spain.
“His life was in danger, and the increasing threats, summons, arrest warrants, and even attempts at blackmail and coercion to which he has been subjected, demonstrate that the regime has no scruples,” Machado said in a post on X. “Let this be very clear to everyone: Edmundo will fight from outside alongside our diaspora.”
Despite Machado’s message, many who opposed Maduro and had hoped he would be removed from power after supposedly losing the election were left feeling defeated after news of Gonzalez’s exile, the Associated Press reported. After weeks of protests without any results other than statements from international governments condemning the election, many see Gonzalez’s departure as defeat.
“What little hope we had left, it went with him,” said one of his supporters in a statement to the Associated Press.