Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González arrived in Spain on Sunday after securing safe passage through an agreement between Venezuela and Spain. González, 75, touched down at the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base near Madrid around 4 PM local time. His arrival was facilitated by Spain’s Secretary of State for Global Affairs, Diego Martínez Belo, and he was accompanied by his wife. They were greeted by Susana Sumelzo, Spain’s Secretary of State for Latin America. The Spanish Foreign Ministry announced that González would commence the asylum process, ensuring his protection and political rights through the formal channels.
González had been the subject of an arrest warrant issued last week by Venezuela’s Public Prosecutor, which accused him of “disobedience of laws,” “conspiracy,” and “forgery of public documents.” These charges are linked to his role in the opposition-released election results following the contentious July elections, in which President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory amid accusations of fraud. The joint communiqué by Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay rejected the charges, depicting them as politically motivated.
On Saturday, Venezuelan President Maduro authorized González’s safe passage, a decision reinforced by the Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s Office and confirmed by Attorney General Tarek William Saab. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares verified González’s arrival on a Spanish Air Force plane and reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to defending the political rights of Venezuelans.
González’s arrival has drawn reactions from opposition figures. María Corina Machado condemned the Venezuelan government’s actions, terming them as “state terrorism.” The Democratic Unity Platform (PUD), the coalition backing González, issued a statement supporting his decision to seek asylum and emphasized their resolve to see González inaugurated as Venezuela’s president on January 10, 2025, as per the Constitution.
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez praised González as a “hero” and reiterated Spain’s support for democracy and persecuted political figures worldwide. In a statement shortly after his arrival, González expressed his determination to continue his fight for democracy in Venezuela, despite the threats and coercion he encountered.