Venezuela’s opposition candidate arrives in Spain after fleeing

The opposition candidate in Venezuela’s current presidential election has arrived in Spain after fleeing his homeland.

A Spanish Air Drive airplane carrying Edmundo González landed at Torrejon air base in Madrid on Saturday afternoon, after he was granted political asylum.

Mr González had been in hiding in Venezuela, with an arrest warrant issued for him after the opposition disputed July’s presidential election outcome, which gave incumbent Nicolás Maduro a 3rd time period.

The Venezuelan opposition’s total chief, María Corina Machado, stated he had fled “to protect his freedom, his integrity and his life”.

His departure got here as safety forces in Venezuela have surrounded the Argentine embassy within the capital, Caracas, the place six opposition figures have been sheltering.

The nation’s overseas ministry alleged that terrorist acts had been being plotted inside.

Ms Machado accused Mr Maduro’s administration of unleashing “a brutal wave of repression” following the election, the outcomes of which many countries within the area have questioned.

Venezuela’s Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez stated Mr González had requested the Spanish authorities for political asylum.

She stated in a social media publish that after “voluntarily” looking for refuge on the Spanish embassy in Caracas some days in the past, Venezuela had agreed to his secure passage.

Spain’s International Minister Jose Manuel Albares had earlier stated that Spain had granted Mr González asylum because it was “dedicated to the political rights” of all Venezuelans.

The departure of the 75-year-old got here per week after Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for him, accusing him of conspiracy and different crimes.

The opposition claimed it had proof Mr González had received by a cushty margin, and uploaded detailed voting tallies to the web which counsel Mr González beat Mr Maduro convincingly.

Washington, the EU and different powers within the area have refused to acknowledge Mr Maduro because the winner with out Caracas releasing detailed voting knowledge.

The European Union overseas coverage chief, Josep Borrell, described Mr González’s flight as “a tragic day for democracy in Venezuela”.

He added: “In a democracy, no political chief must be compelled to hunt asylum overseas.”