The former opposition presidential candidate for Venezuela, Edmundo González, departed for Spain in the wake of the disputed elections in the South American country, officials from Venezuela and Spain stated on Saturday evening, following a day of escalating diplomatic tensions.
The 75-year-old González, who ran against President Nicolás Maduro in July, left after “voluntarily seeking refuge at the Spanish embassy in Caracas several days ago,” said Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez on Instagram.
“Edmundo González took off from Caracas destined for Spain on a Spanish Air Force plane,” wrote Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Álvarez on X, stating that Madrid responded to González’s request, Reuters reported.
González’s departure from Venezuela is the latest political development following the elections in the country on July 28.
The Venezuelan opposition claims that the elections resulted in a resounding victory for González and published the vote counts online which they say indicate he won.
This week, prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for González in relation to the online publication of the counts, accusing him among other charges of usurping functions, falsifying public documents, and conspiracy.