By Empress Rondon The National
In the midst of the siege of the Nicolás Maduro regime, Edmundo González Urrutia, leader of the Venezuelan opposition, He left the country to take refuge in Spain starting this Sunday, September 8th.
Following the July 28 elections, the former presidential candidate went through a long journey to protect his safety. He was secretly housed for a month in the Dutch Embassy in Caracas, from July 29 to September 5. This was the day that Tarek William Saab, Attorney General, ratified the arrest warrant against him.
After this time in the custody of Dutch diplomacy in Caracas, He also took refuge in the Spanish Embassy. This, while he requested political asylum from the government of Pedro Sánchez, who granted him protection.
How did Edmundo González come to Spain?
The asylum proposal was discussed a few weeks ago in an intermediation process with former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
The Iberian country’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, said that the Venezuelan politician was granted asylum after his request for protection.
On the other hand, González Urrutia’s transfer took place aboard the Spanish Air Force plane, which He first made a stop in Lajes, Terceira Island in the Azores archipelago, in Portugal.. Although I had previously passed through Las Américas International Airport, in Punta Caucedo, Dominican Republic.
Reactions from exile
Following the departure of Edmundo González, Political leader Maria Corina Machado sent a message through its account in X and claimed that his life was in danger. But this was not only because of the summons and arrest warrant, but also because of the blackmail attempts.
“Faced with this brutal reality, It is necessary for our cause to preserve their freedomhis integrity and his life. This operation by the regime and its allies is further evidence of their criminal nature, which delegitimizes and sinks them more and more every day,” he added.
For his part, the vice president of the Popular Party of Spain, Esteban Gonzalez Ponspointed out that for a Spanish army plane to land on Venezuelan soil there had to be prior authorization.
“Technically, it is called an overflight and landing authorization, and when requesting it you must specify the purpose and the passengers arriving and departing. The rescue is only legitimized by recognizing Edmundo as president“, he said.
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#Edmundo #Gonzálezs #journey #Spain
2024-09-09 02:50:30
– What were the circumstances that led to Edmundo González Urrutia fleeing Venezuela and seeking asylum in Spain?
Table of Contents
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Edmundo González Urrutia Granted Asylum in Spain
In a dramatic turn of events, Edmundo González Urrutia, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, has been granted political asylum in Spain [[1]][[2]][[3]]. This move comes after González Urrutia, a former presidential candidate, fled Venezuela to escape a warrant for his arrest issued by the Nicolás Maduro regime.
A Perilous Journey to Freedom
After the July 28 elections, González Urrutia went into hiding, fearing for his safety. He spent a month in secret housing at the Dutch Embassy in Caracas, from July 29 to September 5, before the Attorney General ratified the arrest warrant against him [[1]]. He then took refuge in the Spanish Embassy, where he requested political asylum from the government of Pedro Sánchez, who granted him protection.
The Road to Spain
The asylum proposal was discussed weeks ago in an intermediation process with former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero [[3]]. The Iberian country’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, confirmed that the Venezuelan politician was granted asylum after his request for protection.
González Urrutia’s transfer took place aboard a Spanish Air Force plane, which made a stop in Lajes, Terceira Island in the Azores archipelago, in Portugal, before arriving in Spain [[1]].
Reactions from Exile
Following González Urrutia’s departure, political leader Maria Corina Machado sent a message claiming that his life was in danger due to the summons and arrest warrant, as well as blackmail attempts [[1]]. She emphasized the need to preserve his freedom, integrity, and life, calling the regime’s actions “further evidence of their criminal nature, which delegitimizes and sinks them more and more every day.”
The vice president of the Popular Party of Spain also expressed support for González Urrutia, condemning the Maduro regime’s actions.
New Chapter for Venezuela’s Opposition
González Urrutia’s asylum in Spain marks a significant development in the ongoing struggle for democracy in Venezuela. As the opposition leader begins a new chapter in his life, his decision to seek refuge abroad highlights the deteriorating political situation in his home country.
The international community’s response to this development will be crucial in determining the future of Venezuela and its people. For now, Edmundo González Urrutia can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that he has found a safe haven in Spain. However, the fight for democracy and freedom in Venezuela is far from over.
What circumstances led Edmundo González to seek asylum in Spain?
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Edmundo González Flees to Spain Amid Arrest Warrant
In a dramatic turn of events, Edmundo González Urrutia, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, has fled to Spain to seek political asylum [[1]][[2]][[3]]. This move comes after a tumultuous period for González, who faced an arrest warrant issued by the Venezuelan government following the July 28 elections.
González, a former presidential candidate, had been secretly housed in the Dutch Embassy in Caracas for a month, from July 29 to September 5. However, the Venezuelan Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, ratified the arrest warrant against him, prompting González to seek refuge in the Spanish Embassy. The Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, granted him political asylum, and González was flown to Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane.
The asylum proposal was facilitated through an intermediation process with former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that González was granted asylum after his request for protection.
González’s journey to Spain was not straightforward. He first made a stop in Lajes, Terceira Island in the Azores archipelago, in Portugal, before arriving in Spain. Prior to that, he had passed through Las Américas International Airport in Punta Caucedo, Dominican Republic.
The reactions to González’s departure have been swift. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado took to social media to express her support for González, stating that his life was in danger not only due to the arrest warrant but also because of blackmail attempts. She emphasized the need to preserve González’s freedom, integrity, and life, and accused the Maduro regime and its allies of criminal behavior.
The vice president of the Popular Party of Spain also weighed in on the situation, offering his support to González.
González’s ordeal began after the July 28 elections, when he faced an arrest warrant issued by the Venezuelan government. His decision to flee to Spain marks a significant development in the ongoing struggle for democracy in Venezuela.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Edmundo González Urrutia’s bravery and determination have earned him a temporary reprieve from the dangers he faced in Venezuela. His story serves as a beacon of hope for those fighting for democracy and human rights in the face of oppressive regimes.
References:
[1] https://www.lastampa.it/esteri/2024/09/08/news/edmundogonzalezurrutiaasilopoliticospagna-14616247/
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/venezuela-edmundo-gonzalez-flies-spain-arrest-warrant-rcna170106
[3] https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/mondo/americalatina/2024/09/08/venezuela-concesso-salvacondotto-a-candidato-opposizione2402fcaa-1d24-4efd-8bc1-74905d2ae050.html
