Fleeing Venezuela, Edmundo González – once a proponent backed by the US – evacuates the country
Mexico City, Mexico, September 9, 2024 (Our Website) - Fleeing Venezuela:
Former adversary presidential candidate Edmundo González bid adieu to Venezuela and arrived in Spain on Sunday, setting foot on Spanish soil.
The 75-year-old González's self-imposed exile was first hinted at by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who confirmed that the opposition figure had initially sought sanctuary in Spain’s Embassy in Caracas. Eventually, granted safe passage by the government, González stepped out of Venezuela.
"Upon settling crucial chats between both administrations and complying with international law, Venezuela extended the essential safe passage, aiming at peace and political harmony in the country," Rodríguez posted on social media.
Spanish officials, however, dismissed any collaboration with Venezuelan authorities, stating that González arrived at the Torrejón de Ardoz airbase in Madrid, on an Air Force plane, accompanied by his wife and Diego Martínez Belío, Spain's Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares verified that González had personally contacted him, and the former presidential aspirant had chosen Spain due to its demonstrated solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
Yet, former Spanish Vice President and political pundit Pablo Iglesias expressed uncertainty as to why González chose Spain instead of neighboring Argentina, whose president has repeatedly criticized the Nicolás Maduro regime. While Spain serves as home to several Venezuelan opposition figures like right-wing leader Leopoldo López, who escaped house arrest in 2019, one may wonder about the factors that influenced González’s decision.
Having been a last-minute addition to the July 28 ballot as a proxy for US-backed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was barred from participating due to the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) upholding a ban from public office, González claimed "preservation of freedom, integrity, and life" as his reason for fleeing Venezuela.
However, some sources claim that González received refuge in the official diplomatic residency of The Netherlands weeks prior, with his intention to vacate the premises and eventually settle in Spain made clear in early September. On these grounds, Venezuela’s Attorney General's Office issued an arrest warrant for González last week, citing charges such as usurpation of functions, public document forgery, conspiracy, sabotage, and association to commit crimes.
Fueling speculation, González spoke optimistically about continuing the "fight for our freedom and the restoration of Venezuela's democracy" once he reached Spain. In a subsequent letter, he declared that personal ambition had not influenced his decision and offered praise to Machado, expressing an olive branch without hinting at a potential future role in the opposition coalition.
On the other hand, Machado argued that González would rally with exiles and contribute to her goal of installing him as president of Venezuela on January 10, 2025. With González absent in the country, Machado's objective appears increasingly remote. Reportedly, González’s departure left supporters disheartened and without hope.
The United States, along with the leaders of Brazil, Colombia, and sometimes Mexico, have endeavored to mediate the political conflict, but this role has yet to be formalized by Venezuela. An anticipated call between the leaders of the three countries, alongside Maduro, remains pending.
In response to González's self-imposed exile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that despite his departure, González still embodied "the best hope for democracy." In a twist of events, Venezuela suspended the deal allowing Brazil to manage the Argentine diplomatic residence in Caracas, where six Machado associates had sought refuge from charges. Security forces surrounded the building for hours on Saturday before demobilizing, with Venezuelan authorities alleging that the premises were used to plan terrorist activities.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.
- Edmundo Gonzalez, the former Venezuelan presidential candidate, confirmed his migration to Spain, arriving on Sunday after obtaining safe passage from the Venezuelan government.
- Despite initial shelters in Venezuela's Spanish embassy, Gonzalez's self-imposed exile was later verified by Venezuela's Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, who stated that international law and discussions between administrations facilitated Gonzalez's exit from the country.
- While questions about why Gonzalez chose Spain instead of Argentina persist, it was revealed that Gonzalez reached out to Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, explaining his decision to reside in Spain due to its solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
- With the Venezuelan Attorney General's Office issuing an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, alleging charges related to usurpation of functions, public document forgery, conspiracy, sabotage, and association with crime, Gonzalez expressed in a letter that personal ambition did not play a role in his decision to leave the country.
- Fleeing Venezuela due to the preservation of freedom, integrity, and life, Gonzalez's departure from the country and potential role in the opposition coalition continues to generate debate within the realm of general news, politics, crime and justice, and war-and-conflicts.
