Venezuelan Opposition Leader Edmundo González Urrutia Forced into Exile Sparks International Outrage

González Urrutia arrived in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday, September 8, after requesting asylum after evaluating that in Venezuela suffered political and judicial persecution after the presidential elections of July 28, 2024, whose official victory was awarded by the National Electoral Council (CNE) to Nicolás Maduro, a result certified by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ).

The Organization of American States (OAS) said that the Maduro regime has failed to produce the slightest evidence of an electoral result, but rather has forced the exile of the candidate Edmundowho, according to the OAS, undoubtedly won the elections.

“A few days ago we said that it was It is ridiculous that one had expected free, fair and transparent elections. from that National Electoral Council (CNE), as it is ridiculous to expect justice from the different actors of the Venezuelan justice system,” the OAS statement included.

Read more: Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González arrives in Spain after receiving political asylum

He also warned that Venezuela does not need one more political prisonernot one more tortured person, not one more victim of systematic human rights violations.

The OAS assured that the “The electoral process is not over” and that they must “continue working so that the true winner of the elections of July 28 assumes the Presidency of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” in January 2025.

The Government of Colombia regretted the departure of Edmundo González from Venezuela and reaffirmed that the political process in the sister country and in any country in the Americas must be surrounded by full guarantees.

“Once again, Colombia is calling for dialogue to build an agreement that will ensure political peace in the neighboring country,” the Colombian Foreign Ministry added.

The Colombian government regrets the departure of Edmundo González from Venezuela. It highlights the agreement between the governments of Spain and Venezuela to guarantee political asylum in compliance with the convention on diplomatic asylum adopted on March 28, 1954. Colombia reaffirms that…

— Colombian Foreign Ministry (@CancilleriaCol) September 9, 2024

Read also: “The Maduro regime is not democratic”: Arévalo rejects Venezuelan election results

The leaders of Colombia, Mexico and Brazil have tried mediate the crisis that Venezuela has been experiencing since the CNE announced the questionable victory of Nicolás MaduroHowever, neither country has yet recognized Maduro’s victory, nor have they supported González Urrutia.

Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States, commented that the exile of González Urrutia is a consequence of the anti-democratic measures applied in the Venezuelan regime.

According to Blinken, the opposition leader remains “an indisputable voice for peace and change democratic in Venezuela,” and the United States supports him in his call to continue “the fight for freedom and the restoration of democracy.”

Chile regretted the “forced exile” of González, in addition He rejected “any form of repression against opponents of the dictatorial regime in Venezuela” and reiterated “the call for respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the physical integrity of all Venezuelans.”

You may be interested in: Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela ratifies reelection of Nicolás Maduro

Uruguayan Foreign Minister Omar Paganini said that González’s exile is “very bad news” and also commented that they are facing a dictatorship that is consolidated through fraud.

Paraguay reiterated its commitment to the people of Venezuela, demanded the unrestricted respect for human rightsto the fundamental freedoms of Venezuelans and the immediate restoration of the rule of law in that country.

The United Nations (UN) warned that González Urrutia’s departure “clearly does not mark the end of the post-election crisis” and said it remains deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela.

The international organization sent a panel of electoral experts to Venezuela to monitor the July elections and, although their conclusions are usually confidential for the secretary general, in this case they were made public and said that The elections did not meet the required standards of transparency.

Also read: UN Secretary General calls for electoral transparency and respect for human rights in Venezuela

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, described Gonzáles’ exile as “sad for democracy.”

“Political leader and presidential candidate Edmundo González has had to request political asylum and benefit from protection that Spain has offered him,” he lamented.

The German government said “setback” for democracy in Venezuela that González Urrutia be granted political asylum in Spain since in a democratic country “there should never be politicians who are forced to flee” and demanded that the Venezuelan government “end the violent treatment of the opposition and restore the rights of democratic participants.”

However, the Government of Spain rejected on September 9 the version that it held negotiations with the Venezuelan Executive for the departure of González Urrutia and insisted on demanding the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, the publication of the electoral records.

Official announcement to national and international public opinion: pic.twitter.com/TTPUQciV0Q

— Edmundo Gonzalez (@EdmundoGU) September 9, 2024

Read more: There is no evidence that Maduro won, a senior Venezuelan electoral official tells the Times

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that González will be granted asylum in Spain, as requested by the opposition leader himself, and assured that Spain has not accepted “any demands nor has there been any negotiation” with the Venezuelan government to facilitate his departure from the country.

For his part, González Urrutia said today in his profile X that the decision to leave his country and go into exile in Spain She took it because the destiny of Venezuelans “cannot, should not be, a conflict of pain and suffering.”

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What led Edmundo González Urrutia to seek asylum in Spain after the Venezuelan elections?

Venezuelan Opposition‍ Leader Edmundo González Seeks Asylum in Spain ⁣Amid Election Turmoil

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia has fled to Spain seeking asylum, following the disputed presidential elections in Venezuela on July 28, 2024 [[1][2][3]]. González Urrutia arrived in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday, September 8, after evaluating that he suffered political and judicial persecution in Venezuela.

The Organization of American States (OAS) has rejected the election results, stating that ⁤the Maduro regime has failed​ to produce any evidence ​of an electoral result and has instead forced‍ the exile of the opposition candidate [[1]]. The OAS has warned that Venezuela does not need one more political prisoner, tortured person, or victim of systematic human ⁤rights violations.

The⁤ international community has widely condemned the⁢ election results, ‌with many countries, including Colombia

What actions have international leaders taken in response to the aftermath of the Venezuelan presidential election held on July 28, 2024, and the resulting crisis?

Venezuelan Presidential Election Crisis: International Community Condemns Maduro’s Victory

The Venezuelan presidential election held on July 28, 2024, has sparked a political crisis in the country, with opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia seeking asylum in Spain after facing political and judicial persecution by the Maduro regime. The international community has widely condemned the election results, citing a lack of transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

According to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Maduro regime has failed to produce any evidence of a legitimate electoral outcome, instead forcing the exile of González Urrutia, who the OAS believes won the elections [[1]]. The OAS has expressed concerns over the lack of free, fair, and transparent elections in Venezuela, and has called for continued efforts to ensure the true winner of the elections assumes the presidency in January 2025.

The Government of Colombia has regretted the departure of González Urrutia from Venezuela and reiterated the need for full guarantees in the political process in the Americas[[[2]]. The leaders of Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil have attempted to mediate the crisis, but have not recognized Maduro’s victory, nor have they supported González Urrutia.

The United States has also weighed in on the crisis, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning the exile of González Urrutia as a consequence of the anti-democratic measures applied by the Maduro regime[[[3]]. Blinken has pledged US support for González Urrutia’s call for continued efforts towards peace, change, and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.

Chile has also rejected the Venezuelan election results, regretting the forced exile of González Urrutia and reiterating the call for respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the physical integrity of all Venezuelans.

The European Union has also expressed concerns over the situation in Venezuela, with several countries, including Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States, issuing a joint statement condemning the election results and calling for a new election [[1]].

As the situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate, the international community remains committed to supporting democracy and human rights in the country. With González Urrutia safely in Spain, the focus now shifts to finding a peaceful and democratic solution to the crisis, one that respects the will of the Venezuelan people and ensures a transition towards a more stable and prosperous future.

References:

[1] French Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Joint statement on the Venezuelan presidential election

<a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2024/07/24/au-venezuela-l-emigration-massive-pese-sur-l-election-presidentielle62567173210.html”>[2] Le Monde – Venezuelan election crisis sparks massive emigration

[3] Liberation – Colombia and Brazil call for new election in Venezuela