CARACAS: Venezuela’s opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia had no choice but to flee the country for exile in Spain to save his own life amid a “brutal wave of repression” from the government after disputed presidential elections, the leader of the opposition Maria Corina Machado said Sunday.
Gonzalez Urrutia, who had replaced Machado as the opposition’s presidential candidate, arrived in Spain on Sunday after spending a month in hiding within Venezuela. The 75-year-old retired diplomat was forced to leave amid escalating threats and an arrest warrant issued by the Venezuelan government, which declared him a fugitive.
Machado, who herself remains in hiding, stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that Gonzalez Urrutia’s departure was crucial to save his life. “His life was in danger,” Machado said. She criticized the Maduro regime’s attempts to silence opposition figures through intimidation and legal persecution.
The July 28 elections in Venezuela were marred by controversy. Official results declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner, but the opposition and much of the international community questioned the legitimacy of the results, citing a lack of transparency and a detailed vote breakdown.
Gonzalez Urrutia had been accused of various crimes including usurpation of public functions, forgery, and incitement to disobedience. The charges are related to his assertion that he won the disputed election, where the opposition claimed he secured about two-thirds of the vote.
The Venezuelan electoral authority has been unable to provide a detailed breakdown of the election results due to alleged cyber attacks.
In response to Gonzalez Urrutia’s plight, Spain has granted him political asylum. He arrived in Madrid on a Spanish military flight, accompanied by his spouse. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez lauded Gonzalez Urrutia as “a hero” and affirmed Spain’s commitment to supporting him.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that Spain would provide asylum.
Venezuelan authorities have reportedly allowed Gonzalez Urrutia’s safe passage after he sought refuge at the Spanish embassy in Caracas. Meanwhile, Attorney General Tarek William Saab is expected to make a significant announcement regarding the case later today.
The European Union’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, has condemned the repression and called for an end to arbitrary arrests and harassment of opposition members and civil society.
The ongoing political crisis in Venezuela has seen significant violence, with at least 27 deaths and 192 injuries reported since the election. The government claims to have detained around 2,400 persons in connection with post-election unrest.
